What drives ontogentic niche shifts of fishes in coral reef ecosystems?

I A Kimirei; I Nagelkerken; M Trommelen; P Blankers; N Van Hoytema; D Hoeijmakiers; Chantal M Huijbers; Y D Mgaya; A L Rypel

doi:10.1007/s10021-013-9645-4

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What drives ontogentic niche shifts of fishes in coral reef ecosystems?

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

What drives ontogentic niche shifts of fishes in coral reef ecosystems?

I A Kimirei, I Nagelkerken, M Trommelen, P Blankers, N Van Hoytema, D Hoeijmakiers, Chantal M Huijbers, Y D Mgaya and A L Rypel

Ecosystems, Vol.16(5), pp.783-796

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-013-9645-4

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Abstract

survival

food abundance

growth

trade-offs

coral reef

mangrove

seagrass

Ontogenetic niche shifts are taxonomically and ecologically widespread across the globe. Consequently, identifying the ecological mechanics that promote these shifts at diverse scales is central to an improved understanding of ecosystems generally. We evaluated multiple potential drivers of ontogenetic niche shifts (predation, growth, maturation, diet shifts, and food availability) for three fish species between connected coral reef and nearshore habitats. In all cases, neither diet compositional change nor sexual maturity functioned as apparent triggers for emigration from juvenile to adult habitats. Rather, the fitness advantages conferred on reef inhabitants (that is, enhanced growth rates) were primarily related to high prey availability on reefs. However, there exists a clear trade-off to this benefit as survival rates for small fishes were significantly reduced on reefs, thereby revealing the potential value of (and rationale behind high juvenile abundances in) nearshore habitat as predation refugia. We ultimately conclude that predation risk functions as the primary early life stage inhibitor of ontogenetic niche shifts towards more profitable adult habitats in these systems. Furthermore, this study provides a case study for how complex, meta-dynamic populations and ecosystems might be better understood through the elucidation of simple ecological trade-offs.

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Title: What drives ontogentic niche shifts of fishes in coral reef ecosystems?
Authors: I A Kimirei (Author) - Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
I Nagelkerken (Author) - University of Adelaide
M Trommelen (Author) - Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
P Blankers (Author) - Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
N Van Hoytema (Author) - Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
D Hoeijmakiers (Author) - Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
Chantal M Huijbers (Author) - Griffith University
Y D Mgaya (Author) - University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
A L Rypel (Author) - Virginia Tech, United States
Publication details: Ecosystems, Vol.16(5), pp.783-796
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.1007/s10021-013-9645-4
ISSN: 1432-9840
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448854502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Ecology

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