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Description:
Author(s):
DeMartini, E., Anderson, T., Friedlander, A., Beets, J.
Title:
Predator biomass, prey density, and species composition effects on group size in recruit coral reef fishes
Publication Date:
2011
Journal Title:
Marine Biology (Online version)
Volume:
158
Issue:
11
Page(s):
24372447
Abstract:
"Group incidence and size are described for recruit parrotfishes, wrasses, and damselfishes on Hawaiian reefs over 3 years (2006-2008) at sites spanning the archipelago (20-28N, 155-177W). Coral-poor and coralrich areas were surveyed at sites with both low (Hawaii Island) and high (Midway Atoll) predator densities, facilitating examination of relations among predator and recruit densities, habitat, and group metrics. Predator and recruit densities varied spatially and temporally, with a sixfold range in total recruit densities among years. Group (C2 recruits) metrics varied with time and tracked predator and recruit densities and the proportion of schooling species. Groups often included heterospecifics whose proportion increased with group size. A non-saturating relationship between group size and recruit density suggests that the anti-predator benefits of aggregation exceeded competitive costs. Grouping behavior may have overarching importance for recruit survivaleven at high recruit densitiesand merits further study on Hawaiian reefs and elsewhere."
Electronic DOI:
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