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Alexandra S. Grutter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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relationship between roving behaviour and the diet and client composition of the cleaner fish labroides bicolor
Journal of Fish Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Jennifer Oates, Redouan Bshary, Andrea Manica, Alexandra S. GrutterAbstract:Diet analyses and observations of cleaning behaviour of two cleaner fishes revealed that Labroides bicolor fed more on client mucus, but Labroides dimidiatus fed more on ectoparasites, and that L. bicolor interacted with fewer species (36 species) compared with L. dimidiatus (44 species). The client species which contributed most to the dissimilarity between cleaner species were the dusky farmerfish Stegastes nigricans and bicolor chromis Chromis margaritifer damselfishes, which L. dimidiatus interacted with more often than L. bicolor, and the striated Ctenochaetus striatus and brown Acanthurus nigrofuscus surgeonfishes, which L. bicolor interacted with more; L. bicolor interacted with all parrotfishes (Scaridae) more. These results confirm the importance of repeated interactions and partner choice in determining the nature of interactions in mutualisms.
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tactile stimulation lowers stress in fish
Nature Communications, 2011Co-Authors: Marta C Soares, Albert F H Ros, Alexandra S. Grutter, Rui Filipe Oliveira, Redouan BsharyAbstract:In humans, physical stimulation, such as massage therapy, reduces stress and has demonstrable health benefits. Grooming in primates may have similar effects but it remains unclear whether the positive effects are due to physical contact or to its social value. Here we show that physical stimulation reduces stress in a coral reef fish, the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus. These fish regularly visit cleaner wrasses Labroides dimidiatus to have ectoparasites removed. The cleanerfish influences client decisions by physically touching the surgeonfish with its pectoral and pelvic fins, a behaviour known as tactile stimulation. We simulated this behaviour by exposing surgeonfish to mechanically moving cleanerfish models. Surgeonfish had significantly lower levels of cortisol when stimulated by moving models compared with controls with access to stationary models. Our results show that physical contact alone, without a social aspect, is enough to produce fitness-enhancing benefits, a situation so far only demonstrated in humans.
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Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus recognise familiar clients
Animal Cognition, 2002Co-Authors: S. Tebbich, Redouan Bshary, Alexandra S. GrutterAbstract:Individual recognition has been attributed a crucial role in the evolution of complex social systems such as helping behaviour and cooperation. A classical example for interspecific cooperation is the mutualism between the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus and its client reef fish species. For stable cooperation to evolve, it is generally assumed that partners interact repeatedly and remember each other's past behaviour. Repeated interactions may be achieved by site fidelity or individual recognition. However, as some cleaner fish have more than 2,300 interactions per day with various individuals per species and various species of clients, basic assumptions of cooperation theory might be violated in this mutualism. We tested the cleaner L. dimidiatus and its herbivorous client, the surgeon fish Ctenochaetus striatus , for their ability to distinguish between a familiar and an unfamiliar partner in a choice experiment. Under natural conditions, cleaners and clients have to build up their relationship, which is probably costly for both. We therefore predicted that both clients and cleaners should prefer the familiar partner in our choice experiment. We found that cleaners spent significantly more time near the familiar than the unfamiliar clients in the first 2 minutes of the experiment. This indicates the ability for individual recognition in cleaners. In contrast, the client C. striatus showed no significant preference. This could be due to a sampling artefact, possibly due to a lack of sufficient motivation. Alternatively, clients may not need to recognise their cleaners but instead remember the defined territories of L. dimidiatus to achieve repeated interactions with the same individual.
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size selective predation by the cleaner fish labroides dimidiatus
Journal of Fish Biology, 1997Co-Authors: Alexandra S. GrutterAbstract:A comparison of the size-frequency distribution of parasitic gnathiid isopod larvae in the diet of the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus and on six host fish species (Chlorurus sordidus, Ctenochaetus striatus, Hemigymnus melapterus, Scolopsis bilineatus, Siganus doliatus, Thalassoma lunare) was made on one occasion. The comparison was repeated with Hemigymnus melapterus on three occasions and between two islands in Australia. L. dimidiatus selected larger gnathiids at all times at Lizard Island but not at Heron Island. Size-selective predation by L. dimidiatus suggests any potential effect of cleaner fish on parasites may vary according to the size of parasite. However, this effect appears to Vary spatially. (C) 1997 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
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Comparison of methods for sampling ectoparasites from coral reef fishes
Marine and Freshwater Research, 1995Co-Authors: Alexandra S. GrutterAbstract:Methods for sampling ectoparasite assemblages were compared using 7 species of coral reef fishes (Acanthochromis polyacanthus, Thalassoma lunare, Ctenochaetus striatus, Chlorurus sordidus, Scolopsis bilineatus, Hemigymnus melapterus, and Siganus doliatus). Estimates of total numbers and composition of ectoparasites were dependent on post-collection handling techniques and the method of ectoparasite removal. Fish were enclosed within plastic bags under water at the point of capture. Filtration of water from the plastic bags revealed a large number of parasites (mainly gnathiid isopods) that had detached from the host on capture. A subsequent sea-water rinse removed a large number of ectoparasites, but further treatment with the anaesthetic chloretone released additional individuals. The few remaining parasites were removed by visual inspection. A chloretone bath was more effective than a sea-water bath at removing parasites. The species composition of parasites recovered by a chloretone bath plus a visual survey was different from that recovered with a sea-water bath and visual survey; this suggests that traditional scanning techniques may not detect all parasites.
David R. Bellwood - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an evaluation of a double tailed deformity in a coral reef surgeonfish acanthurus nigrofuscus acanthuridae using micro computed tomography
Journal of Fish Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Christopher H. R. Goatley, Sterling B. Tebbett, Stephen Wroe, David R. BellwoodAbstract:X-ray micro-computed tomography scans were used to examine the caudal-fin structure of an unusual double-tailed deformity in an adult brown surgeonfish Acanthurus nigrofuscus from the Great Barrier Reef. In both this case and in a similar double-tailed deformity in a juvenile Tomini surgeonfish Ctenochaetus tominiensis from the Philippines, the caudal fin was duplicated along the dorsoventral axis. Detailed examination of the A. nigrofuscus specimen revealed that the deformity was associated with duplication and reflection of the hypural plates and the posterior vertebrae, yet the fish survived to adulthood, indicating that the effects of duplication on survival may be limited.
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Figure S5 from A functional evaluation of feeding in the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus: the role of soft tissues
2018Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, Víctor Huertas, Michalis Mihalitsis, David R. BellwoodAbstract:A 3D model of the skull of the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus, generated using micro-computed tomography
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Clarifying functional roles: algal removal by the surgeonfishes Ctenochaetus striatus and Acanthurus nigrofuscus
Coral Reefs, 2017Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, David R. BellwoodAbstract:The lined bristletooth, Ctenochaetus striatus, and the brown surgeonfish, Acanthurus nigrofuscus, are among the most abundant surgeonfishes on Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Yet, the functional role of these species has been the focus of an ongoing debate lasting at least six decades. Specifically, to what extent are C. striatus herbivorous like the visually similar A. nigrofuscus? To address this question, we used natural feeding surfaces, covered with late successional stage reef-grown algal turfs, to examine turf algal removal by the two species. Surfaces exposed to C. striatus in laboratory experiments exhibited no significant reductions in turf length or area covered by turfing algae. In marked contrast, A. nigrofuscus reduced turf length by 51% and area covered by turfing algae by 15% in 1 h. The gut contents of specimens from the reef revealed that A. nigrofuscus predominantly ingests algae (the dominant item in 79.6–94.7% of gut content quadrats), while C. striatus ingests detritus and sediments (dominant in 99.6–100% of quadrats). Therefore, C. striatus ingests detritus and sediment, leaving mature algal turfs relatively intact, while A. nigrofuscus directly removes and ingests turf algae. The function of C. striatus differs from cropping herbivorous surgeonfishes such as A. nigrofuscus. On coral reefs, C. striatus brush detrital aggregates from algal turfs, removing microorganisms, organic detritus and inorganic sediment. Confusion over the functional role of C. striatus may stem from an inability to fit it into a single functional category.
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fine sediments suppress detritivory on coral reefs
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2017Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, David R. BellwoodAbstract:Increasing sediment inputs are recognised as an important factor leading to coral reef degradation. However, the role of sediments in ecological processes is poorly understood. This study used paired-choice trials to quantify the effects of sediment grain size and chemical composition on feeding by the abundant detritivorous reef fish, Ctenochaetus striatus. The size of sediments from algal turfs were also compared to those ingested by reef-dwelling C. striatus. Algal turfs containing coarser sediments were preferred by C. striatus, while sediment composition (reefal carbonates vs. riverine silicates) had little effect. On the reef, C. striatus ingested finer sediments than those present in algal turfs. C. striatus appears to prefer algal turfs with coarser sediments as this facilitates ingestion of fine detrital particles, while finer sediments prevent selective feeding on detritus. These findings suggest that fine sediments from terrestrial runoff or dredging may be detrimental to feeding by detritivorous species.
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The effects of algal turf sediment and organic loads on feeding rates of surgeonfishes.
2017Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, David R. BellwoodAbstract:Bite rate (mean bites min-1 ± SE) of (A) Ctenochaetus striatus (n = 24) and (B) Acanthurus nigrofuscus (n = 28) on six different sediment loads and (C) C. striatus (n = 8) on six different organic loads.
Sterling B. Tebbett - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an evaluation of a double tailed deformity in a coral reef surgeonfish acanthurus nigrofuscus acanthuridae using micro computed tomography
Journal of Fish Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Christopher H. R. Goatley, Sterling B. Tebbett, Stephen Wroe, David R. BellwoodAbstract:X-ray micro-computed tomography scans were used to examine the caudal-fin structure of an unusual double-tailed deformity in an adult brown surgeonfish Acanthurus nigrofuscus from the Great Barrier Reef. In both this case and in a similar double-tailed deformity in a juvenile Tomini surgeonfish Ctenochaetus tominiensis from the Philippines, the caudal fin was duplicated along the dorsoventral axis. Detailed examination of the A. nigrofuscus specimen revealed that the deformity was associated with duplication and reflection of the hypural plates and the posterior vertebrae, yet the fish survived to adulthood, indicating that the effects of duplication on survival may be limited.
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Figure S5 from A functional evaluation of feeding in the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus: the role of soft tissues
2018Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, Víctor Huertas, Michalis Mihalitsis, David R. BellwoodAbstract:A 3D model of the skull of the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus, generated using micro-computed tomography
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Clarifying functional roles: algal removal by the surgeonfishes Ctenochaetus striatus and Acanthurus nigrofuscus
Coral Reefs, 2017Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, David R. BellwoodAbstract:The lined bristletooth, Ctenochaetus striatus, and the brown surgeonfish, Acanthurus nigrofuscus, are among the most abundant surgeonfishes on Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Yet, the functional role of these species has been the focus of an ongoing debate lasting at least six decades. Specifically, to what extent are C. striatus herbivorous like the visually similar A. nigrofuscus? To address this question, we used natural feeding surfaces, covered with late successional stage reef-grown algal turfs, to examine turf algal removal by the two species. Surfaces exposed to C. striatus in laboratory experiments exhibited no significant reductions in turf length or area covered by turfing algae. In marked contrast, A. nigrofuscus reduced turf length by 51% and area covered by turfing algae by 15% in 1 h. The gut contents of specimens from the reef revealed that A. nigrofuscus predominantly ingests algae (the dominant item in 79.6–94.7% of gut content quadrats), while C. striatus ingests detritus and sediments (dominant in 99.6–100% of quadrats). Therefore, C. striatus ingests detritus and sediment, leaving mature algal turfs relatively intact, while A. nigrofuscus directly removes and ingests turf algae. The function of C. striatus differs from cropping herbivorous surgeonfishes such as A. nigrofuscus. On coral reefs, C. striatus brush detrital aggregates from algal turfs, removing microorganisms, organic detritus and inorganic sediment. Confusion over the functional role of C. striatus may stem from an inability to fit it into a single functional category.
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fine sediments suppress detritivory on coral reefs
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2017Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, David R. BellwoodAbstract:Increasing sediment inputs are recognised as an important factor leading to coral reef degradation. However, the role of sediments in ecological processes is poorly understood. This study used paired-choice trials to quantify the effects of sediment grain size and chemical composition on feeding by the abundant detritivorous reef fish, Ctenochaetus striatus. The size of sediments from algal turfs were also compared to those ingested by reef-dwelling C. striatus. Algal turfs containing coarser sediments were preferred by C. striatus, while sediment composition (reefal carbonates vs. riverine silicates) had little effect. On the reef, C. striatus ingested finer sediments than those present in algal turfs. C. striatus appears to prefer algal turfs with coarser sediments as this facilitates ingestion of fine detrital particles, while finer sediments prevent selective feeding on detritus. These findings suggest that fine sediments from terrestrial runoff or dredging may be detrimental to feeding by detritivorous species.
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The effects of algal turf sediment and organic loads on feeding rates of surgeonfishes.
2017Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, David R. BellwoodAbstract:Bite rate (mean bites min-1 ± SE) of (A) Ctenochaetus striatus (n = 24) and (B) Acanthurus nigrofuscus (n = 28) on six different sediment loads and (C) C. striatus (n = 8) on six different organic loads.
Redouan Bshary - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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relationship between roving behaviour and the diet and client composition of the cleaner fish labroides bicolor
Journal of Fish Biology, 2012Co-Authors: Jennifer Oates, Redouan Bshary, Andrea Manica, Alexandra S. GrutterAbstract:Diet analyses and observations of cleaning behaviour of two cleaner fishes revealed that Labroides bicolor fed more on client mucus, but Labroides dimidiatus fed more on ectoparasites, and that L. bicolor interacted with fewer species (36 species) compared with L. dimidiatus (44 species). The client species which contributed most to the dissimilarity between cleaner species were the dusky farmerfish Stegastes nigricans and bicolor chromis Chromis margaritifer damselfishes, which L. dimidiatus interacted with more often than L. bicolor, and the striated Ctenochaetus striatus and brown Acanthurus nigrofuscus surgeonfishes, which L. bicolor interacted with more; L. bicolor interacted with all parrotfishes (Scaridae) more. These results confirm the importance of repeated interactions and partner choice in determining the nature of interactions in mutualisms.
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treatment with the glucocorticoid antagonist ru486 reduces cooperative cleaning visits of a common reef fish the lined bristletooth
Hormones and Behavior, 2012Co-Authors: Albert F H Ros, Philippe Vullioud, Redouan BsharyAbstract:Abstract Cooperation often involves a conflict of interest. This is particularly true in situations where one individual seeks out a service but cannot properly control the quality of the service given by the partner who would gain from defecting. An example is cleaning mutualism involving the bluestreak cleaner wrasse ( Labroides dimidiatus ) and its reef-fish ‘clients’. These cleaners may reduce the stress experienced by their clients by removing parasites; however they occasionally cheat clients (i.e. defect) by eating mucus and other living tissues. Here we present experimental support for the hypothesis that stress responses increase the motivation for clients to seek out such risky asymmetric interactions. We manipulated the stress response by blocking glucocorticoid receptors with the antagonist RU486 in a species that is a regular visitor of cleaner fish, the lined bristletooth ( Ctenochaetus striatus ). Field observations 1 week after treatment with RU486 showed that antagonist treatment led to a reduction in cleaning duration compared to control treatment. This was not explained by a general effect on client behavior as intraspecific social behavior appeared unaffected. We propose that antagonist treatment reduced stress responses to the presence of ectoparasites, which in turn reduced the client's perception of benefits from seeking out cleaning interactions. The results demonstrate a hitherto overlooked variable role of stress and stress responses on cooperative behavior.
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tactile stimulation lowers stress in fish
Nature Communications, 2011Co-Authors: Marta C Soares, Albert F H Ros, Alexandra S. Grutter, Rui Filipe Oliveira, Redouan BsharyAbstract:In humans, physical stimulation, such as massage therapy, reduces stress and has demonstrable health benefits. Grooming in primates may have similar effects but it remains unclear whether the positive effects are due to physical contact or to its social value. Here we show that physical stimulation reduces stress in a coral reef fish, the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus. These fish regularly visit cleaner wrasses Labroides dimidiatus to have ectoparasites removed. The cleanerfish influences client decisions by physically touching the surgeonfish with its pectoral and pelvic fins, a behaviour known as tactile stimulation. We simulated this behaviour by exposing surgeonfish to mechanically moving cleanerfish models. Surgeonfish had significantly lower levels of cortisol when stimulated by moving models compared with controls with access to stationary models. Our results show that physical contact alone, without a social aspect, is enough to produce fitness-enhancing benefits, a situation so far only demonstrated in humans.
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Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus recognise familiar clients
Animal Cognition, 2002Co-Authors: S. Tebbich, Redouan Bshary, Alexandra S. GrutterAbstract:Individual recognition has been attributed a crucial role in the evolution of complex social systems such as helping behaviour and cooperation. A classical example for interspecific cooperation is the mutualism between the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus and its client reef fish species. For stable cooperation to evolve, it is generally assumed that partners interact repeatedly and remember each other's past behaviour. Repeated interactions may be achieved by site fidelity or individual recognition. However, as some cleaner fish have more than 2,300 interactions per day with various individuals per species and various species of clients, basic assumptions of cooperation theory might be violated in this mutualism. We tested the cleaner L. dimidiatus and its herbivorous client, the surgeon fish Ctenochaetus striatus , for their ability to distinguish between a familiar and an unfamiliar partner in a choice experiment. Under natural conditions, cleaners and clients have to build up their relationship, which is probably costly for both. We therefore predicted that both clients and cleaners should prefer the familiar partner in our choice experiment. We found that cleaners spent significantly more time near the familiar than the unfamiliar clients in the first 2 minutes of the experiment. This indicates the ability for individual recognition in cleaners. In contrast, the client C. striatus showed no significant preference. This could be due to a sampling artefact, possibly due to a lack of sufficient motivation. Alternatively, clients may not need to recognise their cleaners but instead remember the defined territories of L. dimidiatus to achieve repeated interactions with the same individual.
Christopher H. R. Goatley - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an evaluation of a double tailed deformity in a coral reef surgeonfish acanthurus nigrofuscus acanthuridae using micro computed tomography
Journal of Fish Biology, 2018Co-Authors: Christopher H. R. Goatley, Sterling B. Tebbett, Stephen Wroe, David R. BellwoodAbstract:X-ray micro-computed tomography scans were used to examine the caudal-fin structure of an unusual double-tailed deformity in an adult brown surgeonfish Acanthurus nigrofuscus from the Great Barrier Reef. In both this case and in a similar double-tailed deformity in a juvenile Tomini surgeonfish Ctenochaetus tominiensis from the Philippines, the caudal fin was duplicated along the dorsoventral axis. Detailed examination of the A. nigrofuscus specimen revealed that the deformity was associated with duplication and reflection of the hypural plates and the posterior vertebrae, yet the fish survived to adulthood, indicating that the effects of duplication on survival may be limited.
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Figure S5 from A functional evaluation of feeding in the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus: the role of soft tissues
2018Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, Víctor Huertas, Michalis Mihalitsis, David R. BellwoodAbstract:A 3D model of the skull of the surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus, generated using micro-computed tomography
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Clarifying functional roles: algal removal by the surgeonfishes Ctenochaetus striatus and Acanthurus nigrofuscus
Coral Reefs, 2017Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, David R. BellwoodAbstract:The lined bristletooth, Ctenochaetus striatus, and the brown surgeonfish, Acanthurus nigrofuscus, are among the most abundant surgeonfishes on Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Yet, the functional role of these species has been the focus of an ongoing debate lasting at least six decades. Specifically, to what extent are C. striatus herbivorous like the visually similar A. nigrofuscus? To address this question, we used natural feeding surfaces, covered with late successional stage reef-grown algal turfs, to examine turf algal removal by the two species. Surfaces exposed to C. striatus in laboratory experiments exhibited no significant reductions in turf length or area covered by turfing algae. In marked contrast, A. nigrofuscus reduced turf length by 51% and area covered by turfing algae by 15% in 1 h. The gut contents of specimens from the reef revealed that A. nigrofuscus predominantly ingests algae (the dominant item in 79.6–94.7% of gut content quadrats), while C. striatus ingests detritus and sediments (dominant in 99.6–100% of quadrats). Therefore, C. striatus ingests detritus and sediment, leaving mature algal turfs relatively intact, while A. nigrofuscus directly removes and ingests turf algae. The function of C. striatus differs from cropping herbivorous surgeonfishes such as A. nigrofuscus. On coral reefs, C. striatus brush detrital aggregates from algal turfs, removing microorganisms, organic detritus and inorganic sediment. Confusion over the functional role of C. striatus may stem from an inability to fit it into a single functional category.
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fine sediments suppress detritivory on coral reefs
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2017Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, David R. BellwoodAbstract:Increasing sediment inputs are recognised as an important factor leading to coral reef degradation. However, the role of sediments in ecological processes is poorly understood. This study used paired-choice trials to quantify the effects of sediment grain size and chemical composition on feeding by the abundant detritivorous reef fish, Ctenochaetus striatus. The size of sediments from algal turfs were also compared to those ingested by reef-dwelling C. striatus. Algal turfs containing coarser sediments were preferred by C. striatus, while sediment composition (reefal carbonates vs. riverine silicates) had little effect. On the reef, C. striatus ingested finer sediments than those present in algal turfs. C. striatus appears to prefer algal turfs with coarser sediments as this facilitates ingestion of fine detrital particles, while finer sediments prevent selective feeding on detritus. These findings suggest that fine sediments from terrestrial runoff or dredging may be detrimental to feeding by detritivorous species.
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The effects of algal turf sediment and organic loads on feeding rates of surgeonfishes.
2017Co-Authors: Sterling B. Tebbett, Christopher H. R. Goatley, David R. BellwoodAbstract:Bite rate (mean bites min-1 ± SE) of (A) Ctenochaetus striatus (n = 24) and (B) Acanthurus nigrofuscus (n = 28) on six different sediment loads and (C) C. striatus (n = 8) on six different organic loads.