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Published on: July 30, 2019
Quantifying the influence of small omnivorous fishes on seagrass epiphyte load
B L Gilby1, C J Henderson2, I R Tibbetts3
1School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Maroochydore, QLD, 4558, Australia.
Abstract:
The influence of two cryptic, seagrass-inhabiting omnivorous fishes, the fan-bellied leatherjacket Monacanthus chinensis and the variable sabretoothed blenny Petroscirtes variabilis, on seagrass epiphyte biomass are described. Overall, M. chinensis significantly reduced epiphyte biomass by 35·1% after 18 h in experimental aquaria, whilst P. variabilis showed a non-significant 15·7% reduction. It is concluded that some cryptic omnivorous species play an important role in epiphyte removal in seagrass beds.
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