|
|
Notes
- Abstract:
- The transition from a planktonic larval stage to a benthic or demersal juvenilt stage is a crucial event in the life history of coral reef fishes, and recruitment success has a strong influence on reef-fish population size. Post-settlement predation is thought to limit recruitment success. Most studies on post-settlement predation have focused on piscivorous reef fishes. However, recent studies suggest that blood-feeding ectoparasites may also be an important source of predation and may futher have significant sublethal effects on post-settlement fishes. In this study, we quantified the relationship between level of infestation by gnathiid isopods and mortality rates among juvenile reef fishes as a function of body mass both within and among species. We found that a single Gnathia marleyi larvae could kill individuals of all species shortly after settlement, up to 0.116g (18mm FL) in French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum), 0.01g (9mm FL) in beaugregory damselfish (Stegastes leucostictus) and 0.027g (15mm FL) in masked goby (Coryphopterus personatus). For S. leucostictus, we also compared the ability of fish infested with a sublethal number of gnathiids versus uninfected individuals to claim and uphold a territory. Uninfected fish were significantly more likely to win-pairwise contest versus infested fish. These findings suggest that gnathiids can significantly impact juvenile coral reef fishes well past the settlement stage.
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- University of the Virgin Islands
- Holding Location:
- University of the Virgin Islands
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Joseph Sellers. Permission granted to the University of the Virgin Islands to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
|
|
