Overlooked coral predators suppress foundation species as reefs degrade.

ABSTRACT: Loss of larger consumers from stressed ecosystems can lead to trophic release of mid-level consumers that then impact foundation species, suppressing ecosystem function and resilience. For example, in coral reef ecosystems, outbreaks of coral predators like crown-of-thorns sea stars have been associated with fishing pressure and can dramatically impact the composition and persistence of corals. However, the ecological impacts, and consequences for management, of smaller, less obvious corallivores remain inadequately understood. We investigated whether reef state (coral vs. seaweed domination) influenced densities and size frequencies of the corallivorous gastropod Coralliophila violacea on its common host, the coral Porites cylindrica, within three pairs of small Marine Protected Areas (MP

SUBMITTER: Clements CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6167153 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature