Consumption of coral propagules represents a significant trophic link between corals and reef fish
Consumption of coral propagules represents a significant trophic link between corals and reef fish
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DOI：
10.1007/s003380000113
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发表时间：
2001-08-01
期刊：
影响因子：
3.5
通讯作者：
Klanten, SO
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Pratchett, MS;Gust, N;Klanten, SO
珊瑚的大量产卵提供了大量的高能量猎物的季节性脉冲，这可能有利于能够捕获和消化珊瑚繁殖体的珊瑚鱼。这项研究探讨了鱼类的范围，消费珊瑚繁殖体，并测试是否珊瑚鱼的经验，在生理条件显着增加时，喂养珊瑚繁殖体。研究发现，三十六种日间活动的珊瑚鱼会吃掉大规模珊瑚产卵期间释放的珊瑚繁殖体。对摩鹿加雀鲷（Pomacentrus moluccensis）、白氏豆娘鱼（Abudeduf whitleyi）和细鳞白鱼（Caesio cyly）的胃内容物进行了分析。whitleyi饲料几乎完全在珊瑚繁殖在大规模珊瑚产卵。大量摄食珊瑚繁殖体的鱼类也积累了大量的脂质储备，这可以大大提高其后代的质量和存活率。与此相反，C.在研究过程中，狡猾只消耗非常少量的珊瑚繁殖体，并且没有显示出可检测到的脂质储存变化。这项研究提供了第一个直接的证据表明，珊瑚鱼受益于大规模的珊瑚产卵，并揭示了一个潜在的显着的营养链之间的石珊瑚和珊瑚鱼。
Mass spawning of corals provides a large seasonal pulse of high-energy prey that potentially benefits reef fish that are capable of capturing and digesting coral propagules. This study examines the range of fish species that consume coral propagules and also tests whether reef fish experience a significant increase in physiological condition when feeding on coral propagules. Thirty-six species of diurnal reef fish were seen to consume coral propagules released during mass coral spawning. Stomach content analyses of three reef fish species (Pomacentrus moluccensis, Abudefduf whitleyi, and Caesio cunning) revealed that both P. motuccensis and A. whitleyi feed almost exclusively on coral propagules during mass coral spawning. Fish feeding extensively on coral propagules also amassed considerable lipid stores, which could greatly improve the quality and survivorship of their progeny. In contrast, C. cunning consumed only very small quantities of coral propagules, and showed no detectable change in lipid stores during the course of the study. This study provides the first direct evidence that reef fish benefit from mass coral spawning, and reveals a potentially significant trophic link between scleractinian corals and reef fish.