Behaviourally mediated phenotypic selection in a disturbed coral reef environment.

ABSTRACT: Natural and anthropogenic disturbances are leading to changes in the nature of many habitats globally, and the magnitude and frequency of these perturbations are predicted to increase under climate change. Globally coral reefs are one of the most vulnerable ecosystems to climate change. Fishes often show relatively rapid declines in abundance when corals become stressed and die, but the processes responsible are largely unknown. This study explored the mechanism by which coral bleaching may influence the levels and selective nature of mortality on a juvenile damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis, which associates with hard coral. Recently settled fish had a low propensity to migrate small distances (40 cm) between habitat patches, even when densities were elevated to their natural maximum. I

SUBMITTER: McCormick MI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2740825 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature