A large predatory reef fish species moderates feeding and activity patterns in response to seasonal and latitudinal temperature variation.

ABSTRACT: Climate-driven increases in ocean temperatures are expected to affect the metabolic requirements of marine species substantially. To mitigate the impacts of increasing temperatures in the short-term, it may be necessary for ectothermic organisms to alter their foraging behaviour and activity. Herein, we investigate seasonal variation in foraging behaviour and activity of latitudinally distinct populations of a large coral reef predator, the common coral trout, Plectropomus leopardus, from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. P. leopardus exhibited increased foraging frequency in summer versus winter time, irrespective of latitude, however, foraging frequency substantially declined at water temperatures >30 °C. Foraging frequency also decreased with body size but there was no interaction with

SUBMITTER: Scott M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5636919 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature