ČERNOHORSKÁ, Nicole, Timothy R. MCCLANAHAN, Idrees BABU and Michal HORSÁK. Small herbivores suppress algal accumulation on Agatti atol. Coral Reefs. 2015, vol. 34, No 4, p. 1023-1035. ISSN 0722-4028. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-015-1331-x.
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Basic information
Original name Small herbivores suppress algal accumulation on Agatti atol
Authors ČERNOHORSKÁ, Nicole (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Timothy R. MCCLANAHAN (404 Kenya), Idrees BABU (356 India) and Michal HORSÁK (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
Edition Coral Reefs, 2015, 0722-4028.
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Article in a journal
Field of Study 10600 1.6 Biological sciences
Country of publisher United States of America
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
Impact factor Impact factor: 3.000
RIV identification code RIV/00216224:14310/15:00084663
Organization unit Faculty of Science
Doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-015-1331-x
UT WoS 000365177300003
Keywords in English Ecological redundancy; Diet specialization; Macroalgae; Phase shifts; Size-dependent processes
Tags AKR, rivok
Changed by Changed by: prof. RNDr. Michal Horsák, Ph.D., učo 8803. Changed: 16/2/2018 16:41.
Abstract
Despite large herbivorous fish being generally accepted as the main group responsible for preventing algal accumulation on coral reefs, few studies have experimentally examined the relative importance of herbivore size on algal communities. This study used exclusion cages with two different mesh sizes (191 cm and 696 cm) to investigate the impact of different-sized herbivores on algal accumulation rates on the shallow (\2 m) back-reef of Agatti atoll, Lakshadweep. The fine-mesh cages excluded all visible herbivores, which had rapid and lasting effects on the benthic communities, and, after 127 d of deployment, there was a visible and significant increase in algae (mainly macroalgae) with algal volume being 13 times greater than in adjacent open areas. The coarse-mesh cages excluded larger fishes ([8 cm body depth) while allowing smaller fishes to access the plots. In contrast to the conclusions of most previous studies, the exclusion of large herbivores had no significant effect on the accumulation of benthic algae and the amount of algae present within the coarse-mesh cages was relatively consistent throughout the experimental period (around 50 % coverage and 1–2 mm height). The difference in algal accumulation between the fine-mesh and coarse-mesh cages appears to be related to the actions of small individuals from 12 herbivorous fish species (0.17 ind. m-2 and 7.7 g m-2) that were able to enter through the coarse mesh. Although restricted to a single habitat, these results suggest that when present in sufficient densities and diversity, small herbivorous fishes can prevent the accumulation of algal biomass on coral reefs.
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