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Small cryptopredators contribute to high predation rates on coral reefs

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Abstract

Small fishes suffer high mortality rates on coral reefs, primarily due to predation. Although studies have identified the predators of early post-settlement fishes, the predators of small cryptobenthic fishes remain largely unknown. We therefore used a series of mesocosm experiments with natural habitat and cryptobenthic fish communities to identify the impacts of a range of small potential predators, including several invertebrates, on prey fish populations. While there was high variability in predation rates, many members of the cryptobenthic fish community act as facultative cryptopredators, being prey when small and piscivores when larger. Surprisingly, we also found that smashing mantis shrimps may be important fish predators. Our results highlight the diversity of the predatory community on coral reefs and identify previously unknown trophic links in these complex ecosystems.

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Acknowledgements

We thank R.M. Bonaldo, C.J. Fulton, A.S. Hoey, J.A. Khan, R.B. Kushner, C.D. Lefèvre and Lizard Island Research Station staff for field support; N. Payes for laboratory assistance; H.K. Larson and R. Kuiter for taxonomic assistance; and S.B. Tebbett for comments on the manuscript. This project was funded by the ARC (DRB) and CONACYT, México (AG-C).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    Christopher H. R. Goatley, Alonso González-Cabello & David R. Bellwood

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  1. Christopher H. R. Goatley
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  2. Alonso González-Cabello
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  3. David R. Bellwood
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Correspondence to Christopher H. R. Goatley.

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Communicated by Ecology Editor Dr. Alastair Harborne

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Goatley, C.H.R., González-Cabello, A. & Bellwood, D.R. Small cryptopredators contribute to high predation rates on coral reefs. Coral Reefs 36, 207–212 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-016-1521-1

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