Population Regulation of Coral Reef Fishes. Final Report of 2007 Research Authorization. Sally J. Holbrook and Russell J. Schmitt

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1 Population Regulation of Coral Reef Fishes Final Report of 2007 Research Authorization Sally J. Holbrook and Russell J. Schmitt Marine Science Institute and Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA USA Introduction October 4, 2007 Populations of reef fish are widely believed to be limited by availability of larval recruits, not by density dependent processes operating during and after settlement of young stages in the reef environment. Our research explores and challenges this thinking. We are utilizing field observations and experiments to determine what factors affect spatial distribution, abundance, and population dynamics of four reef-dwelling damselfish in the Family Pomacentridae: three-spot humbug (Dascyllus trimaculatus), yellow-tail humbug (D. flavicaudus), banded humbug (D. aruanus), and orange-fin anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysopterus). In related research, we explore the relationships between structural reef habitat (types and sizes of corals and other reef substrates) and the abundance and diversity of local assemblages of lagoon fish, and whether depleted populations of reef fish can be restored by attraction of larval stages to reef environments using lights at night. More recently, we have begun to examine in detail the species interactions that occur among species of fish that co-occur on anemones, corals and on patch reefs, their interactions with co-occurring invertebrates (such as crabs), and the costs and benefits to the anemones and corals of hosting various species. Knowledge of factors that regulate populations of marine fish is essential to a general understanding of the ecology of coral reef ecosystems. This knowledge is invaluable for management and conservation of fish populations, and can aid in these practices. Species of Pomacentrids are very typical and abundant coral reef fish; we anticipate that our findings will have general applicability, including to species of fish that are consumed by humans. Our research on the relationshipes between fishes and the corals they inhabit will reveal techniques that could aid in restoration of degraded reef areas. This work is also providing important data about the factors that affect distribution and abundance of lagoon fish, as well as the temporal and spatial scales over which these assemblages vary. Such information is important for planning of fishing practices and in other types of natural resource management (for example, establishment of marine protected areas). In addition, we are exploring various methods of restoration of depleted populations of reef fish, including the use of light to

2 attract settlement stages of fish to the reefs. This technology could allow redirection of larval fish that would otherwise be lost from the system to reef areas that are in need of restoration. Results of Work Conducted during 2007 Patterns of Settlement and Recruitment in Damselfish Populations. Young D. trimaculatus display a settlement pulse every 14 days (with two such pulses occurring each month). During 2007, we continued our long-term study of daily settlement of this species on anemones on reefs located near the Gump Research Station. This information allows us to explore the temporal patterns of settlement and early mortality. We have been collecting data on settlement of D. trimaculatus for over a decade. We have found that pulses of settlement differ tremendously in their magnitude, and the early mortality is density dependent (Schmitt and Holbrook 1996, 1999a, 1999c, Holbrook and Schmitt 2002, Schmitt and Holbrook 2007). As we add to our data set we are able to make comparisons of intensity of settlement among different years and at various times within the year, and use this information in studies of population regulation. A recent paper explored interannual variation in settlement and recruitment of D. trimaculatus and how these processes interact to regulate abundance of the species (Schmitt and Holbrook 2006). In addition, during 2007 our 15 year long time series of settlement data was submitted for inclusion in a large volume that will be published by Oxford University Press illustrating time series of ecological data from sites in the US LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) network. The data are now online at the MCR LTER website( Population Dynamics and Whole Reef Colonization Experiments. Based on results of spatial surveys, in 1993 we initiated a long-term field experiment to test the extent to which local abundance of three-spot dascyllus was shaped by availability of settlement/juvenile habitat (anemones). Anemones without fish were transplanted to 9 reef patches that previously lacked both anemones and dascyllus; 4 control reefs without anemones and 3 reefs with naturally occurring anemones also were established. We varied the number (area) of anemones added among experimental reefs. The number of three-spot dascyllus on anemones and on 20x2 m band transects were counted daily for the initial 2 weeks, then after 3, 6, and 12 months. All "anemoneaddition" reefs were colonized by three-spot dascyllus. Densities increased between successive sampling periods at all manipulation sites, but did not change appreciably on control reefs. Population establishment was that expected by larval colonization: beginning with new recruits, successive life stages appeared sequentially. After 1 year, the density of sub-adults and adults (which no longer associate with anemones) varied among experimental sites as a function of the density of added. We have continued to sample this experiment throughout the fourteen year period. During 2007, we continued to study and sample the whole reef colonization experiment. Although the number of anemones on the addition sites is declining gradually, they are continuing to attract settlers and to produce free-living older stages (sub-adults and adults). This experiment is yielding valuable information on how habitat-dependent reef fish respond to both 2

3 spatial and temporal variation in their microhabitats, and the rates at which local populations go extinct following extirpation of their microhabitat. A paper on long-term colonization patterns of D. trimaculatus, bottlenecks in the development of their local populations, and patterns of extinction of local populations was presented at the International Coral Reef Symposium in Okinawa, Japan in 2004, and was published in the conference proceedings (Schmitt and Holbrook 2006). Several of the datasets from our studies of settlement and recruitment have been incorporated into a new text, Ecological Models and Data in R, by Ben Bolker of the University of Florida (USA), to be published by the Princeton University Press (USA). Interactions Among Fish, Crabs and Their Host Species (Anemones, Corals). We established two experiments to examine competitive interactions between pairs of damselfish species that co-occur on particular reef substrates. One experiment, now completed, examined competition between D. flavicaudus and D. aruanus, on shared coral heads, and a second, ongoing experiment examines interactions between D. trimaculatus (three-spot dascyllus) and Amphiprion chrysopterus (orange-fin anemonefish) on shared anemones. This experiment is now in its eighth year. During 2007, we continued sampling the experiment approximately every three months. Our findings regarding the competitive interaction between damselfish and anemonefish illustrate the complexity of species interactions and inter-relationships in coral reef environments, and suggest areas of future study. Anemones that are occupied by anemonefish survive and grow larger than anemones that have only three-spot damselfish on them. The enhanced growth of anemones when occupied by anemonefish actually provides habitat that the three-spot damselfish can share with anemonefish, resulting in higher abundance of three-spot damselfish than would be predicted (based on the effects of competition with the anemonefish) (Schmitt and Holbrook 2003, Holbrook and Schmitt 2004). Our studies of the giant sea anemone, Heteractis magnifica, during this experiment have also yielded a detailed data set on patterns of growth, asexual reproduction and mortality of these poorly-understood organisms. This data set, now in its eight year, represents the only demographic data that we are aware of for large tropical sea anemone species that host anemonefish. We have a paper in Coral Reefs (Holbrook and Schmitt 2005) that describes the demographic patterns and discusses the costs and benefits to the anemones of hosting damselfish. We plan to continue to monitor this experiment for the new few years, in part to follow the population of sea anemones and track their growth and survival. The anemonefish that have been living in association with the anemones at these study sites are also being studied by Serge Planes (CRIOBE) and Giacomo Bernardi (UC Santa Cruz). They are conducting genetic analyses to determine family relationships and dispersal patterns for the anemonefish. During 2007 we helped Serge Planes, Giacomo Bernardi and their students collect fin clip samples from these fish for genetic analysis, and the laboratory processing is now being conducted in Serge Planes laboratory at the University of Perpignan. Our research on interactions between fishes and their host corals or anemones has expanded to examine potential benefits for corals of hosting colonies of damselfishes (as well as other small species of fish), and certain invertebrates (particularly coral crabs in the general Trapezia and Tetralia). Spatial surveys and experimental tests of 3

4 growth and survival of corals indicate that both fish and crabs that occupy them provide enormous benefits. For example, Tetralia crabs clear sediment from small branching corals and prevent mortality and bleaching (Stewart et al. 2006), and fish provide an important supply of nutrients that enhances coral growth. Interestingly, the presence of Trapeziid crabs appears to result in reduced survival of young damselfishes within a coral colony, raising the possibility that tradeoffs exist among the potential benefits experienced by corals when they host different types of fishes and invertebrates (Lape 2005, Lape et al. submitted). The paper published by Hannah Stewart, Sally Holbrook, Russell Schmitt and Andrew Brooks in the journal Coral Reefs (Stewart et al. 2006) received extensive media attention, as it revealed that the sediment-removal activities of coral-dwelling crabs are critical to survival of corals. Articles were written about the findings in both the North American and European press, and the article was extensively cited and posted on the web. A copy of a news release regarding the article can be viewed on the MCR LTER website ( in the Announcements section on the homepage. In August 2007, the National Geographic Society of the United States added the crab study to its educational website ( Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Fish Assemblages on Patch Reefs. Attributes of fish assemblages on coral patch reefs reflect both deterministic and stochastic processes. Our inability to predict assemblage characteristics accurately may stem from a lack of knowledge of underlying mechanisms or the inherent stochasticity in these systems. During , we surveyed fish associated with 60 colonies of the common patch-forming coral, Porites rus, in the lagoon on the north side of Moorea to examine the degree to which attributes of the coral predicted aspects of the fish assemblage. Physical characteristics of the colonies such as size, morphology, and degree of isolation from other patch reefs varied greatly, as did species richness, total abundance and composition of the fish assemblage. Multiple regression analyses revealed that variation in potential living space (live surface area; number of holes; amount of interior empty space) accounted for over half of the variation in species richness and total abundance of fish on a coral. In contrast, species composition appeared to be influenced more by the physical setting within the lagoon (water depth; distance to deep-water; degree of isolation). Relationships derived from the initial analyses predicted 65 to 78 percent of the variation in species richness among a different set of corals. In addition, our analyses revealed that the more a particular taxonomic group of fish utilized specific microhabitats on P. rus (such as interior cavities or branches), the greater the decline in their abundance on other types of Porites patch reefs that lack the microhabitats. Together the results indicate that physical attributes of the corals can help account for a large measure of spatial variation in assemblage structure and provide a starting point for studies of the underlying mechanisms. This work has resulted in two papers published in 2002 in Marine and Freshwater Research. A paper submitted during 2005 examines the fine scale microhabitat use by families of fish on the P. rus patch reefs (Brooks, Holbrook and Schmitt 2007), and these findings were presented at the 7 th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference held in Taipei in May, We will continue to resample the set of Porites patch reefs to assess temporal variation in assemblages they contain, and expect additional publications that explore the temporal (seasonal and interannual) patterns. During 2003 and 2004 we also expanded our 4

5 surveys of lagoon fish to include 20 band transects (500 m 2 in area) on which fish are counted and the corals and other substrates are measured and mapped. This data set is enabling us to examine patterns of diversity and abundance of fish in relation to the spatial distribution and abundance of live coral and other benthic microhabitats. A paper on this data set was presented at the International Coral Reef Symposium held in Okinawa, Japan in 2004, and the manuscript was recently published (Holbrook et al. 2006). A second manuscript has recently been submitted. In addition, in 2007 we initiated an experiment that tests the relationship between diversity of corals and abundance and species diversity of the associated fish assemblage. We constructed small patch reefs with different combinations of 6 species of coral in the lagoon on the north shore of Moorea. Fish rapidly colonized these small reefs, both by larval settlement and immigration from nearby habitats. We completed the first counts of the fish in late August, 2007 (30 days after initiation of the experiment), and will continue to assess fish populations several times per year for the next two years. These data will provide crucial insight into issues related to the development of management strategies for lagoon areas, particularly with respect to enhancing the abundance and diversity of lagoon fishes. Publications. The following is the list of publications resulting from our work in French Polynesia. Holbrook, S.J., R.J. Schmitt, A.J. Brooks, T. Margalith, J. Burnsed, K. Seydel and H. Masui The use of LED light lures to enhance larval settlement of coral reef fish. Pp in T. Murata (ed.) State of the Art: High Power LED Application Practices, Technical Information Institute Co. Ltd., Japan. Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook The scale and cause of spatial heterogeneity in the strength of temporal density dependence. Ecology 88: Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook Predicting the magnitude of temporal variation in young-of-year class strength of surfperch (Teleostei: Embiotocidae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement No. 14: Brooks, A.J., S.J. Holbrook and R.J. Schmitt Patterns of microhabitat use by fishes in the patch-forming coral Porites rus. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement No. 14: Brooks, A.J Digital Moorea: The implementation of a wireless sensor network for the monitoring of coral reefs. Proceedings of the Workshop on the Adoption of Sensor Networks by Coastal Managers. Pp Stewart, H.L., S.J. Holbrook, R.J. Schmitt and A.J. Brooks Symbiotic crabs maintain coral health by clearing sediments. Coral Reefs 25: Holbrook, S.J., A.J. Brooks and R.J. Schmitt Relationships between live coral cover and reef fishes: implications for predicting effects of environmental 5

6 disturbances. Proceedings of the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook Developmental delays, recruitment storage and adult attrition rates in local populations of a tropical damselfish. Proceedings of the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium Kane, C The role of microhabitat preference and social organization in determining spatial distribution of a coral reef fish. M. S. Thesis. University of California, Santa Barbara. Lape, J Factors influencing the quality of a refuge for coral reef fish: Effects of microhabitat setting, size and occupants. M.S. Thesis, University of California Santa Barbara. Holbrook, S.J. and R.J. Schmitt Growth, reproduction and survival of a tropical sea anemone (Actiniaria): benefits of hosting anemonefish. Coral Reefs 24: Holbrook, S.J. and R.J. Schmitt Population dynamics of a damselfish: effects of a competitor that also is an indirect mutualist. Ecology 85: Bernardi, G., S.J. Holbrook, R.J. Schmitt and N.L. Crane Genetic evidence for two distinct clades in a French Polynesian population of the coral reef three-spot damselfish Dascyllus trimaculatus. Marine Biology 143: Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook Mutualism can mediate competition and promote coexistence. Ecology Letters 6: Holbrook, S.J. and R. J. Schmitt Spatial and temporal variation in mortality of newly settled damselfish: patterns, causes and co-variation with settlement. Oecologia 135: Holbrook, S.J., A.J. Brooks and R.J. Schmitt Variation in structural attributes of patch-forming corals and patterns of abundance of associated fishes. Marine and Freshwater Research 53: Holbrook, S.J. and R.J. Schmitt Competition for shelter space causes densitydependent predation mortality in damselfishes. Ecology 83: Osenberg, C.W., C.M. St. Mary, R.J. Schmitt, S.J. Holbrook, P. Chesson and B. Byrne Rethinking ecological inference: density-dependence in reef fishes. Ecology Letters 5: Bernardi, G., S.J. Holbrook, R.J. Schmitt, N.L. Crane and E. DeMartini Species boundaries, populations, and color morphs in the coral reef three-spot damselfish (Dascyllus trimaculatus) species-complex. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 269:

7 Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook Spatial variation in concurrent settlement of three damselfishes: Relationships with Near-field current flow. Oecologia 131: Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook Correlates of spatial variation in settlement of two tropical damselfishes. Marine and Freshwater Research 53: Bolker, B., C. St. Mary, C.W. Osenberg, R.J. Schmitt and S.J. Holbrook Management at a different scale: Marine ornamentals and local processes. Bulletin of Marine Science 70: Holbrook, S.J., A.J. Brooks and R.J. Schmitt Predictability of fish assemblages on coral patch reefs. Marine and Freshwater Research 53: Bernardi, G., S.J. Holbrook and R.J. Schmitt Gene flow in the coral reef threespot dascyllus, Dascyllus trimaculatus, at three spatial scales. Marine Biology 138: Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook Habitat-limited recruitment of coral reef damselfish. Ecology 81: Holbrook, S.J., G.E. Forrester and R.J. Schmitt Spatial patterns in abundance of a damselfish reflect availability of suitable habitat. Oecologia 122: Schmitt, R.J., S.J. Holbrook and C.W. Osenberg Quantifying the effects of multiple processes on local abundance: A cohort approach for open populations. Ecology Letters 2: Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook. 1999a. Settlement and recruitment of three damselfish species: larval delivery and competition for shelter space. Oecologia 118: Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook. 1999b. Mortality of juvenile damselfish: implications for assessing processes that determine abundance. Ecology 80: Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook. 1999c. Temporal patterns of settlement of three species of damselfish of the genus Dascyllus (Pomacentridae) in the coral reefs of French Polynesia. Pp in Proc. 5 th Indo-Pacific Fish Conf., Noumea, B Seret and J-Y Sire, eds. Paris: Soc. Fr. Ichtyol. Holbrook, S.J. and R.J. Schmitt In Situ Nocturnal Observations of Reef Fishes Using Infrared Video. Pp in Proc. 5 th Indo-Pacific Fish Conf., Noumea, B Seret and J-Y Sire, eds. Paris: Soc. Fr. Ichtyol. 7

8 Holbrook, S.J. and R.J. Schmitt Settlement patterns and process in a coral reef damselfish: In situ nocturnal observations using infrared video. Proceedings of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium 2: Schmitt, R.J. and S.J. Holbrook Local-scale patterns of larval settlement in a planktivorous damselfish - do they predict recruitment? Marine and Freshwater Research 47: