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232 results for “coral reef fish”
Data from: Genomic signatures of geographic isolation and natural selection in coral reef fishes
The drivers of speciation remain among the most controversial topics in evolutionary biology. Initially, Darwin emphasized natural selection as a primary mechanism of speciation, but the architects of the modern synthesis largely abandoned that view in favour of divergence by geographic isolation. The balance between selection and isolation is still at the forefront of the evolutionary debate, especially for the world's tropical oceans where biodiversity is high, but isolating barriers are few. Here, we identify the drivers of speciation in Pacific reef fishes of the genus Acanthurus by comparative genome scans of two peripheral populations that split from a large Central-West Pacific lineage at roughly the same time. Mitochondrial sequences indicate that populations in the Hawaiian Archipelago and the Marquesas Islands became isolated approximately 0.5 Ma. The Hawaiian lineage is morphologically indistinguishable from the widespread Pacific form, but the Marquesan form is recognized as a distinct species that occupies an unusual tropical ecosystem characterized by upwelling, turbidity, temperature fluctuations, algal blooms and little coral cover. An analysis of 3737 SNPs reveals a strong signal of selection at the Marquesas, with 59 loci under disruptive selection including an opsin Rh2 locus. While both the Hawaiian and Marquesan populations indicate signals of drift, the former shows a weak signal of selection that is comparable with populations in the Central-West Pacific. This contrast between closely related lineages reveals one population diverging due primarily to geographic isolation and genetic drift, and the other achieving taxonomic species status under the influence of selection.
Data from: Size structuring and allometric scaling relationships in coral reef fishes
Temperate marine fish communities are often size structured, with predators consuming increasingly larger prey and feeding at higher trophic levels as they grow. Gape limitation and ontogenetic diet shifts are key mechanisms by which size structuring arises in these communities. Little is known, however, about size structuring in coral reef fishes. Here, we aimed to advance understanding of size structuring in coral reef food webs by examining the evidence for these mechanisms in two groups of reef predators. Given the diversity of feeding modes amongst coral reef fishes, we also compared gape size—body size allometric relationships across functional groups to determine if they are reliable indicators of size structuring. We used gut content analysis and quantile regressions of predator size—prey size relationships to test for evidence of gape limitation and ontogenetic niche shifts in reef piscivores (n=13 species) and benthic invertivores (n=3 species). We then estimated gape size—body size allometric scaling coefficients for 21 different species from four functional groups, including herbivores/detritivores, which are not expected to be gape-limited. We found evidence of both mechanisms for size structuring in coral reef piscivores, with maximum prey size scaling positively with predator body size, and ontogenetic diet shifts including prey type and expansion of prey size. There was, however, little evidence of size structuring in benthic invertivores. Across species and functional groups, absolute and relative gape sizes were largest in piscivores as expected, but gape size—body size scaling relationships were not indicative of size structuring. Instead, relative gape sizes and mouth morphologies may be better indicators. Our results provide evidence that coral reef piscivores are size-structured, and that gape limitation and ontogenetic niche shifts are the mechanisms from which this structure arises. Although gape allometry was not indicative of size structuring, it may have implications for ecosystem function: positively allometric gape size—body size scaling relationships in herbivores/detritivores suggests that loss of large-bodied individuals of these species will have a disproportionately negative impact on reef grazing pressure.
Data from: Larval traits carry over to affect post-settlement behaviour in a common coral reef fish
Most reef fishes begin life as planktonic larvae before settling to the reef, metamorphosing, and entering the benthic adult population. Different selective forces determine survival in the planktonic and benthic life stages, but traits established in the larval stage may carry over to affect post-settlement performance. We tested the hypothesis that larval traits affect two key post-settlement fish behaviours: social group-joining and foraging. Certain larval traits of reef fishes are permanently recorded in the rings in their otoliths. In the bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum), prior work has shown that key larval traits recorded in otoliths (growth rate, energetic condition at settlement) carry-over to affect post-settlement survival on the reef, with higher-larval-condition fish experiencing less post-settlement mortality. We hypothesized that this selective mortality is mediated by carry-over effects on post-settlement anti-predator behaviours. We predicted that better-condition fish would forage less and be more likely to join groups, both behaviours that would reduce predation risk. We collected 550 recently settled bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum) from three reef sites off St. Croix (USVI), and performed two analyses. First, we compared each settler's larval traits to the size of its social group to determine whether larval traits influenced group-joining behaviour. Second, we observed foraging behaviour in a subset of focal grouped and solitary fish (n = 14) for 1-4 days post-settlement. We then collected the fish and tested whether larval traits influenced the proportion of time spent foraging. Body length at settlement, but not condition, affected group-joining behaviour; smaller fish were more likely to remain solitary or in smaller groups. However, both greater length and better condition were associated with greater proportions of time spent foraging over four consecutive days post-settlement. Larval traits carry-over to affect post-settlement behavior, though not as we expected: higher-quality larvae join groups more frequently (safer) but then forage more. Foraging is risky but may allow faster post-settlement growth, reducing mortality risk in the long run. This shows that behaviour likely serves as a mechanistic link connecting larval traits to post-settlement selective mortality.
Data from: Spatial patterns of self-recruitment of a coral reef fish in relation to island-scale retention mechanisms
Oceanographic features influence the transport and delivery of marine larvae, and physical retention mechanisms, such as eddies, can enhance self-recruitment (i.e. the return of larvae to their natal population). Knowledge of exact locations of hatching (origin) and settlement (arrival) of larvae of reef animals provides a means to compare observed patterns of self-recruitment 'connectivity' with those expected from water circulation patterns. Using parentage inference based on multiple sampling years in Moorea, French Polynesia, we describe spatial and temporal variation in self-recruitment of the anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus, evaluate the consistency of net dispersal distances of self-recruits against the null expectation of passive particle dispersal and test the hypothesis that larvae originating in certain reef habitats (lagoons and passes) would be retained and thus more likely to self-recruit than those originating on the outer (fore) reef. Estimates of known self-recruitment were consistent across the sampling years (~25–27% of sampled recruits). For most (88%) of these self-recruits, the net distance between hatching and settlement locations was within the maximum dispersal distance expected for a neutrally buoyant passive particle based on the longest duration of the larval dispersive phase and the average direction and speed of current flow around Moorea. Furthermore, a parent of a given body size on the outer (fore) reef of Moorea was less likely to produce self-recruits than those in passes. Our findings show that even a simple dispersal model based on net average flow and direction of alongshore currents can provide insight into landscape-scale retention patterns of reef fishes.
Data from: Seascape and life-history traits do not predict self-recruitment in a coral reef fish
The persistence and resilience of many coral reef species are dependent on rates of connectivity among sub-populations. However, despite increasing research efforts, the spatial scale of larval dispersal remains unpredictable for most marine metapopulations. Here, we assess patterns of larval dispersal in the angelfish Centropyge bicolor in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea, using parentage and sibling reconstruction analyses based on 23 microsatellite DNA loci. We found that, contrary to previous findings in this system, self-recruitment (SR) was virtually absent at both the reef (0.4–0.5% at 0.15 km2) and the lagoon scale (0.6–0.8% at approx. 700 km2). While approximately 25% of the collected juveniles were identified as potential siblings, the majority of sibling pairs were sampled from separate reefs. Integrating our findings with earlier research from the same system suggests that geographical setting and life-history traits alone are not suitable predictors of SR and that high levels of localized recruitment are not universal in coral reef fishes.
Data from: Spatial and temporal patterns of larval dispersal in a coral-reef fish metapopulation: evidence of variable reproductive success
Many marine organisms can be transported hundreds of kilometers during their pelagic larval stage, yet little is known about spatial and temporal patterns of larval dispersal. Although traditional population-genetic tools can be applied to infer movement of larvae on an evolutionary time scale, large effective population sizes and high rates of gene-flow present serious challenges to documenting dispersal patterns over shorter, ecologically-relevant, time scales. Here, we address these challenges by combining direct parentage analysis and indirect genetic analyses over a four-year period to document spatial and temporal patterns of larval dispersal in a common coral-reef fish: the bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus). At four island locations surrounding Exuma Sound, Bahamas, including a long-established marine reserve, we collected 3,278 individuals and genotyped them at 10 microsatellite loci. Using Bayesian parentage analysis, we identified eight parent-offspring pairs, thereby directly documenting dispersal distances ranging from 0 km (i.e., self-recruitment) to 129 km (i.e., larval connectivity). Despite documenting substantial dispersal and gene-flow between islands, we observed more self-recruitment events than expected if the larvae were drawn from a common, well-mixed pool (i.e., a completely open population). Additionally, we detected both spatial and temporal variation in signatures of sweepstakes and Wahlund effects. The high variance in reproductive success (i.e., "sweepstakes") we observed may be influenced by seasonal mesoscale gyres present in the Exuma Sound, which play a prominent role in shaping local oceanographic patterns. This study documents the complex nature of larval dispersal in a coral-reef fish, and highlights the importance of sampling multiple cohorts and coupling both direct and indirect genetic methods in order disentangle patterns of dispersal, gene-flow, and variable reproductive success.
Data from: Influence of the geography of speciation on current patterns of coral reef fish biodiversity across the Indo-Pacific
The role of speciation processes in shaping current biodiversity patterns represents a major scientific question for ecologists and biogeographers. Hence, numerous methods have been developed to determine the geography of speciation based on co-occurrence between sister-species. Most of these methods rely on the correlation between divergence time and several metrics based on the geographic ranges of sister-taxa (i.e. overlap, asymmetry). The relationship between divergence time and these metrics has scarcely been examined in a spatial context beyond regression curves. Mapping this relationship across spatial grids, however, may unravel how speciation processes have shaped current biodiversity patterns through space and time. This can be particularly relevant for coral reef fishes of the Indo-Pacific since the origin of the exceptional concentration of biodiversity in the Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA) has been actively debated, with several alternative hypotheses involving species diversification and dispersal. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships between three species-rich families of coral reef fish (Chaetodontidae, Labridae, Pomacentridae) and calculated co-occurrence metrics between closely related lineages of those families. We demonstrated that repeated biogeographic processes can be identified in present-day species distribution by projecting co-occurrence metrics between related lineages in a geographical context. Our study also evidence that sister-species do not co-occur randomly across the Indo-Pacific, but tend to overlap their range within the IAA. We identified the imprint of two important biogeographic processes that caused this pattern in 48% of the sister-taxa considered: speciation events within the IAA and repeated divergence between the Indian and Pacific Ocean, with subsequent secondary contact in the IAA.
Data from: On the spatial scale of dispersal in coral reef fishes
Marine biologists have gone through a paradigm shift, from the assumption that marine populations are largely 'open' due to extensive larval dispersal to the realization that marine dispersal is 'more restricted than previously thought'. Yet, population genetic studies often reveal low levels of genetic structure across large geographic areas. On the other side, more direct approaches such as mark-recapture provide evidence of localized dispersal. To what extent can direct and indirect studies of marine dispersal be reconciled? One approach consists in applying genetic methods that have been validated with direct estimates of dispersal. Here, we use such an approach - genetic isolation-by-distance between individuals in continuous populations - to estimate the spatial scale of dispersal in five species of coral reef fish presenting low levels of genetic structure across the Caribbean. Individuals were sampled continuously along a 220 km transect following the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, population densities were estimated from surveys covering 17 200 m2 of reef, and samples were genotyped at a total of 58 microsatellite loci. A small but positive isolation-by-distance slope was observed in the five species, providing mean parent-offspring dispersal estimates ranging between 7 and 42 km (CI 1-113 km), and suggesting that there might be a correlation between minimum/maximum PLD and dispersal in coral reef fishes. Coalescent-based simulations indicate that these results are robust to a variety of dispersal distributions and sampling designs. We conclude that low levels of genetic structure across large geographic areas are not necessarily indicative of extensive dispersal at ecological timescales.
Data from: Increased behavioural lateralization in parasitized coral reef fish
Preferential use of one side of the body for cognitive or behavioural tasks (lateralization) is common in many animals, including humans. However, few studies have demonstrated whether lateralization is phenotypically plastic, and varies depending on the ecological context. We studied lateralization (measured as a turning preference) in the bridled monocle bream (Scolopsis bilineatus). This coral reef fish is commonly infected by a large, ectoparasitic isopod (Anilocra nemipteri) that attaches to the left or right side of its host's head. Fish that were parasitized showed no turning bias with respect to the side on which the parasite had attached. On average, however, parasitised fish were significantly more lateralized (i.e. had a strong side bias) than unparasitized fish. The extent of lateralization declined significantly when we experimentally removed the parasite. Our results indicate that lateralization can vary with the ecological context. One possible explanation is that lateralization shortens the response time until fish flee after encountering a predator. A stronger side bias might be advantageous for parasitized individuals to overcome their recently documented lower maximum swimming speed.
Data from: Genomic atolls of differentiation in coral reef fishes (Hypoplectrus spp, Serranidae)
Because the vast majority of species are well-diverged, relatively little is known about the genomic architecture of speciation during the early stages of divergence. Species within recent evolutionary radiations are often minimally diverged from a genomic perspective, and therefore provide rare opportunities to address this question. Here, we leverage the hamlet radiation (Hypoplectrus spp, brightly colored reef fishes from the tropical western Atlantic) to characterize genomic divergence during the early stages of speciation. Transect surveys and spawning observations in Belize, Honduras, and Panama confirm that sympatric barred (H. puella), black (H. nigricans) and butter (H. unicolor) hamlets are phenotypically distinct and reproductively isolated, although hybrid spawnings and individuals with intermediate phenotypes are seen on rare occasions. A survey of approximately 100,000 restriction-site associated SNPs in 126 samples from the three species across the three replicate populations reveals extremely slight genome-wide divergence among species (Fst=0.0038), indicating that ecomorphological differences and functional reproductive isolation are maintained in sympatry in a backdrop of extraordinary genomic similarity. Nonetheless, a very small proportion of SNPs (0.05% on average) are identified as Fst outliers among sympatric species. Remarkably, a single SNP is identified as an outlier in repeated populations for the same species pair. A mini-contig assembled de novo around this SNP falls into the genomic region containing the HoxCa10 and HoxCa11 genes in 10 teleost species, suggesting an important role for Hox gene evolution in this radiation. This finding, if confirmed, would provide a better understanding of the links between micro- and macroevolutionary processes.
Figure 1 in Wolves in sheep's clothing: three new cases of aggressive mimicry in Red Sea coral reef fishes
Figure 1. New records of mimicry in the Red Sea: (a) juvenile Diploprion drachi, a mimic of (b) Meiacanthus nigrolineatus; (c) juvenile Epinephelus leucogrammicus, a mimic of (d) Larabicus quadrilineatus; (e) juvenile Plectropomus marisrubri, a mimic of (f) Cheilinus quinquecinctus. (Photos: Luiz A. Rocha).
Figure 2. A in Wolves in sheep's clothing: three new cases of aggressive mimicry in Red Sea coral reef fishes
Figure 2. A juvenile Epinephelus leucogrammicus embedded in a cleaning station with Larabicus quadrilineatus. (Photo: Luiz A. Rocha).
FIGURE 1 in Huffmanela spp. (Nematoda, Trichosomoididae) parasites in coral reef fishes off New Caledonia, with descriptions of H. balista n. sp. and H. longa n. sp.
FIGURE 1. Outer surface of the swimbladder of Abalistes stellatus (fish JNC2163). Dark zones are accumulations of eggs of Huffmanela balista n. sp.
FIGURE 5 in Huffmanela spp. (Nematoda, Trichosomoididae) parasites in coral reef fishes off New Caledonia, with descriptions of H. balista n. sp. and H. longa n. sp.
FIGURE 5. Histogram of egg length of the two Huffmanela species parasitic in Gymnocranius grandoculis. JNC892: eggs from the gills, syntypes of H. filamentosa Justine, 2004. JNC1726, JNC 2166, JNC2174, eggs of H. lata n. sp. JNC1726: eggs from the mesentery. JNC2166 and JNC2174: eggs from the swimbladder.
FIGURE 7. X in Huffmanela spp. (Nematoda, Trichosomoididae) parasites in coral reef fishes off New Caledonia, with descriptions of H. balista n. sp. and H. longa n. sp.
FIGURE 7. X-ray photographs of the spinal cord in two Bodianus perditio. A. Specimen not parasitized by Huffmanela ossicola. B. Specimen heavily parasitized by Huffmanela ossicola. Negative prints.
FIGURE 3 in Huffmanela spp. (Nematoda, Trichosomoididae) parasites in coral reef fishes off New Caledonia, with descriptions of H. balista n. sp. and H. longa n. sp.
FIGURE 3. Eggs and larvae of Huffmanela balista n. sp. from Abalistes stellatus. A–J. Eggs. A–B, C–D. Optical section and surface views of same eggs. F, G. Eggs with hatching larvae (note that hatching occurs in both clear and dark eggs). H. Dark-brown egg. I. Black egg, larva present but not visible. J. Black egg, larva present but not visible, envelope visible. K. L1 larva, spontaneously hatched.
FIGURE 6. A in Huffmanela spp. (Nematoda, Trichosomoididae) parasites in coral reef fishes off New Caledonia, with descriptions of H. balista n. sp. and H. longa n. sp.
FIGURE 6. A. Egg of Huffmanela mexicana Moravec et Fajer-Avila, 2000, for comparison with other species. B–D. Hatching eggs and larvae of Huffmanela ossicola Justine, 2004 from the gills of Bodianus perditio.
FIGURE 1 in An annotated list of fish parasites (Copepoda, Monogenea, Digenea, Cestoda and Nematoda) collected from Emperors and Emperor Bream (Lethrinidae) in New Caledonia further highlights parasite biodiversity estimates on coral reef fish
FIGURE 1. Species of Hatschekia collected from lethrinid hosts, all drawn to same scale. A. Hatschekia gracilis Yamaguti, 1954; B. Hatschekia new species 12; C. Hatschekia cf. elegans Kabata, 1991; D. Hatschekia new species 16; E. Hatschekia new species 13; F. Hatschekia new species 14, G. Hatschekia new species 15.
Coral reef benthic and fish monitoring data from Turneffe Atoll, Belize, 2010-2023
<p>Coral reefs are crucial centres of biodiversity, sustaining diverse marine species and providing ecosystem services to coastal communities. Monitoring coral reefs allows us to assess how the reefs are changing over time, discerning the potential impact of environmental changes, human activities, and climate events on their health and biodiversity. Here, we present a collection of data obtained through methodologies from the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems Synoptic Monitoring Program (MBRS SMP) and Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) protocols, including data of benthic point-intercept and invertebrate surveys, coral community characterizations, and reef fish surveys. The dataset encompasses observations spanning the years 2010 to 2023 within Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, Belize. By publishing this dataset, we aim to provide a resource for research endeavours related to coral reef dynamics and broader ecological trends. Use of this monitoring data supports the evolution of Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve as a Marine Protected Area, contributing to informed decision-making and management strategies for the conservation of this vital ecosystem.</p>
Figure 17 in Revision of Eocene electric rays (Torpediniformes, Batomorphii) from the Bolca Konservat-Lagerst atte, Italy, reveals the first fossil embryo in situ in marine batoids and provides new insights into the origin of trophic novelties in coral reef fishes
Figure 17. †Titanonarke megapterygia sp. nov. from the Eocene Monte Postale site. A, MCSNV IG.135576; B, detail of the head and hyoid apparatus. Abbreviations: ao, antorbital cartilage; cb, ceratobranchials; hym, hyomandibula; me, Meckel's cartilage; nc, nasal capsule; pq, palatoquadrate; sca, scapulocoracoid; syn, synarcual; rf, rostral fontanelle; ro, rostral cartilage. Scale bars = 50 mm.
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Allen Brain Atlas
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DANDI Archive for NWB datasets
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International Brain Laboratory public data
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OpenNeuro
OpenNeuro is a free, open platform for sharing neuroimaging datasets, with public search, dataset pages, and download paths for web, S3, DataLad, and the OpenNeuro CLI.