Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8871940 | Marine Pollution Bulletin | 2017 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
Studies of shelter use can provide key insights into the ecology, and structural needs of mobile organisms. Using videos, we examined the usage of tabular corals by large reef fishes, over a 10Â week period, compared to multiple environmental drivers: visibility, tide (and depth), irradiance, wind speed (as a proxy for wave energy) and water temperature. We found that two of these predictor variables (visibility and wind speed) had a significant effect and together accounted for almost half of the variation in tabular coral usage by fishes. Increases in both variables correlated with increased shelter use. To date use of shelters by fishes has primarily been attributed to UV avoidance. Our results support this notion as more turbid conditions (reduced visibility) have an attenuating effect on UV irradiance. Additionally, tabular corals may reduce the energetic costs of increased wave energy by reducing incidental water velocity beneath the structure.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Oceanography
Authors
James T. Kerry, David R. Bellwood,