Algal assemblages associated with Stegastes sp territories on Indo-Pacific coral reefs:: Characterization of diversity and controls on growth
Algal assemblages associated with Stegastes sp territories on Indo-Pacific coral reefs:: Characterization of diversity and controls on growth
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DOI：
10.1016/j.jembe.2006.04.012
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发表时间：
2006-08-22
影响因子：
2
通讯作者：
Liddle, Larry B.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Gobler, Christopher J.;Thibault, Danielle B.;Liddle, Larry B.
草食性鱼类在珊瑚礁生态系统中占有重要的生态位。具体来说，鲷鱼属已经被证明对珊瑚群落结构和藻类组合有重大影响。本研究调查了印太地区（斐济、所罗门群岛和汤加）与stegas领地相关的藻类群落，同时研究了营养丰富和食草动物排除（单独和一致）对这些群落的影响。结果表明，在不同的寄生区和非寄生区，以及不同的控制区和处理区，藻类的种类组成、c - over百分比和生长速度都存在差异。相较于非隐藻区，隐藻区始终显示出更丰富的草皮藻类；在所有地点观察到的两个主要的草坪藻类属是Polysiphonia和Ceramium。尽管斐济、所罗门群岛和汤加的非隐藻地点显示出更大比例的大型藻类覆盖，但与隐藻地区相比，它们含有的藻类种类较少。在斐济，红色大藻在草食排除处理中减少，而棕色大藻在草食排除和营养处理中显著增加。与对照区相比，排除草食动物和营养处理的综合作用显著提高了草皮藻类的生长速度。所罗门群岛和汤加的草皮藻类的生长速度在笼化处理中显著增加，这表明剑藻属的雀鲷可以在维持种植的藻床方面发挥重要作用。综上所述，研究结果表明，隐藻维持着独特的藻类组合，这些组合可能因放牧减少和/或富营养化而被破坏。(c) 2006 Elsevier B.V.版权所有
Herbivorous fish occupy an important niche in coral reef ecosystems. Specifically, damselfish of the genus Stegastes have been shown to have a significant impact on coral community structure and algal assemblages. This study investigated the algal communities associated with Stegastes territories of the Indo-Pacific (Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tonga), while concurrently examining the effects of nutrient enrichment and herbivore exclusion (alone and in unison) on these communities. Results evidenced differences in species composition, percent c over, and algal growth rate between Stegastes territories and non-Stegastes sites and between control sites and treatment sites. Stegastes territories consistently displayed a greater abundance of turf algae than non-Stegastes sites; the two main genera of turf algae observed at all sites were Polysiphonia and Ceramium. Although non-Stegastes sites in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Tonga showed a greater percent coverage of macroalgae, they contained fewer algal species compared to Stegastes territories. In Fiji, red macroalgae decreased in the herbivore exclusion treatments, while brown macroalgae increased significantly in the herbivore exclusion and nutrient treatments. The combined effect of the herbivore exclusion and nutrient treatment at this location yielded a significantly increased turf algae growth rate compared to control sites. Growth rates of turf algae in the Solomon Islands and Tonga increased significantly in caged treatments, suggesting that damselfish of the genus Stegastes can play an important role in maintaining cropped algal beds. In summation, the results demonstrated that Stegastes sustains distinct algal assemblages which may be disrupted by reduced grazing and/or eutrophication. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.