Dynamics of predator-prey habitat use and behavioral interactions over diel periods at sub-tropical reefs.

ABSTRACT: The dynamics of fish communities at tropical and sub-tropical rocky reefs are influenced in many cases by predation activity and predator-prey interactions. These processes usually follow specific diel patterns in reef areas with higher rates of these interactions occurring during the crepuscular periods. However, other factors such as habitat complexity and species-specific behavior may alter these patterns, increasing variability in species interactions. A better understanding of the dynamics of these patterns and processes would allow us to manage and monitor fish communities in these productive and vulnerable areas more efficiently. We investigated behavioral changes of predators and prey fish in sub-tropical "live-bottom" (sandstone) reefs at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRN

SUBMITTER: Campanella F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6364942 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature