Toxic coral gobies reduce the feeding rate of a corallivorous butterflyfish on Acropora corals

Dirnwoeber, M.; Herler, J.

doi:10.1007/s00338-012-0947-3

Cited by 18 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Nonetheless, G . sp.3 may be less exposed due to its lower movement rate between corals and its structurally more complex host coral (J. Herler, personal observations; Dirnwoeber & Herler ), reducing the investment in skin toxins (Williams et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…). Recently, Dirnwoeber & Herler () showed that these toxins are even involved in coral predator deterrence. It is unusual for the chemical composition of an ichthyocrinotoxin to have such a wide ecological functionality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One Gobiodon specimen per trial was gently rubbed for 20 s inside a plastic bag containing 10 ml of seawater, yielding a foamy, milky, mucous secretion (Schubert et al . ; Dirnwoeber & Herler ). The solution was diluted with 590 ml of seawater, mixed and put into two 300‐ml buckets, into which, one C. viridis each (n = 38, two for each goby) was placed within 1 min after mucus yield.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The latter effect was also reported for coral gobies of the genus Gobiodon Bleeker (Schubert et al . ; Dirnwoeber & Herler ). Such a mechanism may help to deter predators, but there are no behavioural studies on direct interactions between predator and toxic prey species, or on the reactions of both organisms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Wall & Herler ). They defend their host corals against coral predators or competitive algae (Pratchett ; Dirnwoeber & Herler ; Dixson & Hay ). Habitat specialisation (Munday et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Skin toxins in coral‐associated Gobiodon species (Teleostei: Gobiidae) affect predator preference and prey survival

et al. 2014

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Predation risk is high for the many small coral reef fishes, requiring successful sheltering or other predator defence mechanisms. Coral-dwelling gobies of the genus Gobiodon live in close association with scleractinian corals of the genus Acropora. Earlier studies indicated that the low movement frequency of adult fishes and the development of skin toxins (crinotoxicity) are predation avoidance mechanisms. Although past experiments showed that predators refuse food prepared with goby skin mucus, direct predator–prey interactions have not been studied. The present study compares the toxicity levels of two crinotoxic coral gobies – Gobiodon histrio, representative of a conspicuously coloured species, and Gobiodon sp.3 with cryptic coloration – using a standard bioassay method. The results show that toxin levels of both species differ significantly shortly after mucus release but become similar over time. Predator preferences were tested experimentally in an aquarium in which the two gobies and a juvenile damselfish Chromis viridis were exposed to the small grouper Epinephelus fasciatus. Video-analysis revealed that although coral gobies are potential prey, E. fasciatus clearly preferred the non-toxic control fish (C. viridis) over Gobiodon. When targeting a goby, the predator did not prefer one species over the other. Contrary to our expectations that toxic gobies are generally avoided, gobies were often captured, but they were expelled quickly, repeatedly and alive. This unusual post-capture avoidance confirms that these gobies have a very good chance of surviving attacks in the field due to their skin toxins. Nonetheless, some gobies were consumed: the coral shelter may therefore also provide additional protection, with toxins protecting them mainly during movement between corals. In summary, chemical deterrence by crinotoxic fishes seems to be far more efficient in predation avoidance than in physical deterrence involving body squamation and/or strong fin spines.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Wall & Herler ). They defend their host corals against coral predators or competitive algae (Pratchett ; Dirnwoeber & Herler ; Dixson & Hay ). Habitat specialisation (Munday et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Skin toxins in coral‐associated Gobiodon species (Teleostei: Gobiidae) affect predator preference and prey survival

et al. 2014

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Delayed recovery and host specialization may spell disaster for coral‐fish mutualism

Froehlich

Klanten

Hing

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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In the face of climate change, multiple consecutive disturbances are becoming increasingly prevalent globally, and ecosystem stability is being threatened as a result (Hughes et al., 2018;Turner, 2010).Relationships between organisms are important for maintaining ecosystem balance and diversity during these challenging times, especially when one of these organisms is a habitat-forming foundation species, for example, conifers, kelps, and corals (Angelini et al., 2011;Denton & Gokhale, 2019). Mutually beneficial symbioses (here termed "mutualisms") often promote the survival of foundation and partner species, but anthropogenic disturbances are adding extreme pressures on these relationships

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Coral architecture affects the habitat choice and form of associated gobiid fishes

2013

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Gobiid fishes of the genus Gobiodon live in strong association with certain reef-building corals that vary considerably in size and architecture. These fishes hence are excellent model systems for studying evolutionary adaption to specific microhabitats. Using a sample of Gobiodon histrio and G. rivulatus and their most important host corals (Acropora digitifera and A. gemmifera) from the northern Red Sea, we assess (1) how corals that are occupied by gobies differ in their architecture from colonies that are not occupied and (2) how fish body shape is associated with the architecture of their host coral. Fish body shape was assessed by geometric morphometric techniques. Coral measurements included colony size, branch length (BL), and interbranch as well as branch tip distance of adjacent branches, for which we applied a new and non-destructive measurement technique based on casts of two-component epoxy resin. The most important factor influencing the occupation of corals was a BL of more than 5 cm. The distance between coral branches was clearly related to the width of the fishes and hence constrained overall fish size. G. histrio and G.rivulatus differ in adult body shape as well in their allometric development of lateral body compression, resulting in different maximum body sizes attainable in the restricted interbranch space of corals. The strong dependence of coral-associated fishes on large coral colonies with specific architectures increases the extinction risk of fishes within deteriorating coral reefs.

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Toxic coral gobies reduce the feeding rate of a corallivorous butterflyfish on Acropora corals

Cited by 18 publications

References 50 publications

Skin toxins in coral‐associated Gobiodon species (Teleostei: Gobiidae) affect predator preference and prey survival

Skin toxins in coral‐associated Gobiodon species (Teleostei: Gobiidae) affect predator preference and prey survival

Delayed recovery and host specialization may spell disaster for coral‐fish mutualism

Coral architecture affects the habitat choice and form of associated gobiid fishes

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