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Missing planktivore functions drive global variation in reef fish productivity.

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Coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific have significantly higher planktivorous fish biomass and productivity than Caribbean reefs. This difference is largely driven by species feeding on gelatinous zooplankton, impacting overall reef function and fisheries potential.

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Area of Science:

  • Marine Ecology
  • Ecosystem Functioning
  • Fisheries Science

Background:

  • Coral reef ecosystems rely on efficient trophic pathways for productivity.
  • The plankton-planktivore pathway is vital but poorly understood at large scales.
  • External nutrient input, primarily zooplankton, fuels diverse fish communities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate global patterns in reef fish community structure.
  • To compare the productivity and fisheries potential of planktivorous reef fishes between the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean.
  • To understand the drivers of discrepancies in planktivory between these regions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of global patterns in reef fish community structure.
  • Comparison of planktivorous fish biomass and productivity.
  • Assessment of the role of gelatinous zooplankton feeders.

Main Results:

  • Indo-Pacific reefs exhibit 6.6 times more planktivorous fish biomass than Caribbean reefs.
  • The Indo-Pacific shows 3.4 times greater productivity from planktivorous fish compared to the Caribbean.
  • Gelatinous zooplankton feeders, though few in number, contribute significantly to Indo-Pacific biomass and productivity.

Conclusions:

  • Significant biogeographic differences exist in planktivorous reef fish communities between the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean.
  • Contrasting oceanographic histories and extinction events likely shaped these differences.
  • Variations in energy flow impact coral reef functioning and ecosystem services, including fisheries.