Skip to main content
Log in

Video-monitored predation by Caribbean reef fishes on an array of mangrove and reef sponges

Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although predation by fishes is thought to structure benthic invertebrate communities on coral reefs, evidence to support this claim has been difficult to obtain. We deployed an array of eight sponge species on Conch Reef (16 m depth) off Key Largo, Florida, USA, and used a remote video-camera to record fish activity near the array continuously during five daylight periods (6 h for 1 d, at least 11.5 h for 4 d) and one night period (11 h). Of the eight sponge species, four were from adjacent reefs (Agelas wiedenmayeri, Geodia neptuni, Aplysina fistularis, and Pseudaxinella lunaecharta), and four were from a nearby mangrove habitat (Chondrosia collectrix, Geodia gibberosa, Halichondria sp., andTedania ignis). Each species of reef sponge was chosen to match the corresponding mangrove species in form and color (black, brown, yellow, and red, respectively). Predation events only occurred during daylight hours. Tallies of the number of times fishes bit sponges revealed intense feeding by the expected species of sponge-eating fishes, such as the angelfishHolacanthus bermudensis, H. tricolor, andPomacanthus arcuatus, the cowfishLactophrys quadricornis, and the filefishCantherhines pullus, but surprisingly also by the parrotfishSparisoma aurofrenatum andS. chrysopterum. Of 35 301 bites recorded, 50.8% were taken by angelfish, 34.8% by parrotfish, and 13.7% by trunkfish and filefish. Mangrove sponges were preferred by all reef fishes; 96% of bites were taken from mangrove species, with angelfish preferringChondrosia collectrix and parrotfish preferringGeodia gibberosa. Fishes often bit the same sponge repetitively, and frequently consumed entire samples within 30 min of their deployment. Sponge color did not influence fish feeding. Two of the four mangrove sponge-species deployed on the array were also found living in cryptic habitats on adjacent reefs and were rapidly consumed by fishes when exposed. Our results demonstrate the importance of fish predation in controlling the distribution of sponges on Caribbean reefs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bakus GJ (1981) Chemical defense mechanisms on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Science, NY 211: 497–499

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellwood DR, Choat JH (1990) A functional analysis of grazing in parrotfishes (family Scaridae): the ecological implications. Envir Biol Fish 28: 189–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergquist PR (1978) Sponges. University of California Press, Los Angeles, California

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruggemann JH, Begeman J, Bosma EM, Verburg P, Breeman AM (1994a) Foraging by the stoplight parrotfishSparisoma viride. II. Intake and assimilation of food, protein and energy. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 106: 57–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruggemann JH, Kuyper MWM, Breeman AM (1994b) Comparative analysis of foraging and habitat use by the sympatric Caribbean parrotfishScarus vetula andSparisoma viride (Scaridae). Mar Ecol Prog Ser 112: 51–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruggemann JH, van Oppen MJH, Breeman AM (1994c) Foraging by the stoplight parrotfishSparisoma viride. I. Food selection in different, socially determined habitats. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 106: 41–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Chanas B, Pawlik JR (1995) Defenses of Caribbean sponges against predatory reef fish: II. Spicules, tissue toughness, and nutritional quality. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 127: 195–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Faulkner DJ (1994) Marine natural products. Nat Product Rep 11: 355–394

    Google Scholar 

  • Goreau TF, Hartman WD (1963) Boring sponges as controlling factors in the formation and maintenance of coral reefs. In: Sognnaes RF (ed) Mechanisms of hard tissue destruction. American Association for the Advancement of Science, New York, pp 25–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanley F (1984) Time-budgeting and foraging strategy of the stoplight parrotfishSparisoma viride Bonnaterre, in Jamaica. J exp mar Biol Ecol 83: 159–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay ME (1991) Spatial and temporal patterns in herbivory on a Caribbean fringing reef: the effects on plant distribution. Oecologia 58: 299–308

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay ME (1991) Fish-seaweed interactions on coral reefs, effects of herbivorous fishes and adaptations of their prey. In: Sale PF (ed) The ecology of fishes on coral reefs. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 96–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay ME, Steinberg PD (1992) The chemical ecology of plantherbivore interactions in marine versus terrestrial communities. In: Rosenthal G, Berenbaum M (eds) Herbivores: their interactions with secondary metabolites. Ecological and evolutionary processes. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 371–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Hixon MA (1983) Fish grazing and community structure of reef corals and algae: a synthesis of recent studies. NOAA Symp Ser Undersea Res 1: 79–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones GP, Ferrell DJ, Sale PF (1991) Fish predation and its impacts on the invertebrates of coral reefs and adjacent sediments. In: Sale PF (ed) The ecology of fishes on coral reefs. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 156–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Meesters E, Knijn R, Willemsen P, Pennartz R, Roebers G, van Soest RWM (1991) Sub-rubble communities of Curaço and Bonaire coral reefs. Coral Reefs 10: 189–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Meylan A (1988) Spongivory in hawksbill turtles: a diet of glass. Science, NY 239: 393–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul VJ (1992) Chemical defenses of benthic marine invertebrates. In: Paul VJ (ed) Ecological roles of marine natural products, Comstock Publishing: Ithaca, New York, pp 164–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Pawlik JR (1993) Marine invertebrate chemical defenses. Chem Rev 93: 1911–1922

    Google Scholar 

  • Pawlik JR, Chanas B, Toonen RJ, Fenical W (1995) Defenses of Caribbean sponges against predatory reef fish. I. Chemical deterrency. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 127: 183–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Pawlik JR, Kernan MR, Molinski TF, Harper MK, Faulker DJ (1988) Defensive chemicals of the Spanish dancer nudibranchHexabranchus sanguineus and its egg ribbons: macrolides derived from a sponge diet. J exp mar Biol Ecol 119: 99–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall JE (1967) Food habits of reef fishes of the West Indies. Studtrop Oceanogr, Miami 665–847

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall JE, Hartman WD (1968) Sponge-feeding fishes of the West Indies. Mar Biol 1: 216–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Rützler K (1978) Sponges in coral reefs. Monogr oceanogr Methodol (UNESCO) 5: 229–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmahl GP (1991) Community structure and ecology of sponges associated with four southern Florida coral reefs. In: Rützler K (ed) New perspectives in sponge biology. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, pp 376–383

    Google Scholar 

  • Suchanek TH, Carpenter RC, Witman JD, Harvell CD (1983) Sponges as important space competitors in deep Caribbean coral reef communities. NOAA Symp Ser Undersea Res 1: 55–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Targett NM, Schmahl GP (1984) Chemical ecology and distribution of sponges in the Salt River Canyon, St., Croix, USVI. NOAA natn mar Fish Serv tech Memo OAR NURP 1: 1–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermeij GJ (1978) Biogeography and adaptation: patterns of marine life. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    Google Scholar 

  • Wulff JL (1994) Sponge feeding by Caribbean angelfishes, turnkfishes, and filefishes. In: van Soest RWM, van Kempen TMG, Brackman JC (eds) Sponges in time and space. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 265–271

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Communicated by N. H. Marcus, Tallahassee

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dunlap, M., Pawlik, J.R. Video-monitored predation by Caribbean reef fishes on an array of mangrove and reef sponges. Mar. Biol. 126, 117–123 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571383

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571383

Keywords

Navigation