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Scale-dependent patterns of variability of a grazing parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) in a tropical seagrass-dominated seascape

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Abstract

Although herbivorous fish form critical linkages between primary producers and higher trophic levels, the major factors regulating their spatial structure in seagrass systems remain poorly understood. The present study examined the parrotfish Leptoscarus vaigiensis in seagrass meadows of a tropical embayment in the western Indian Ocean. Stomach content analysis and direct field observations showed that L. vaigiensis is an efficient grazer, feeding almost exclusively on seagrass leaves. Seagrass shoot density was highly correlated to all density variables (total, juvenile and subadult) and juvenile biomass of L. vaigiensis, while subadult biomass was predicted by distance to neighbouring coral habitat. Moreover, density and biomass of predatory fish (piscivores) were predicted by seagrass canopy height and the distribution patterns of predators followed those of L. vaigiensis. Hence, factors at local (seagrass structural complexity and feeding mode) and landscape scale levels (seascape context and distribution of piscivores) likely mutually structure herbivorous fish communities. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating multiple scale-dependent factors when managing coastal seagrass ecosystems and their associated key species.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Mcha Manzi for assistance throughout all field periods, and Mohammed Nur Mohammed, Saleh Yahya, Lisa Adelsköld, Maria Asplund, Maricela de la Torre Castro and Johan Eklöf for assistance during part of the field work. We are also grateful to Kristina Halling, Nils Kautsky, Jerker Lokrantz, and Per Nilsson for useful comments on earlier versions of the manuscript. Furthermore, thanks to Mats Lindegarth for statistical advice as well as Mats Björk for helping with identification of epiphytes. The Institute of Marine Sciences (University of Dar es Salaam) at Zanzibar provided research facilities and we appreciate the support given by Narriman Jiddawi. The study was supported by the Swedish International Development cooperation Agency (Sida) through the Sida/SAREC Bilateral Marine Science Programme between Sweden and Tanzania as well as the Sida/SAREC-funded project ‘Changes in tropical seagrass beds induced by eutrophication’.

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  1. Department of Systems Ecology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    Martin Gullström & Charlotte Berkström

  2. Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    Martin Gullström, Marcus C. Öhman & Mattis Dahlberg

  3. Department of Marine Ecology - Kristineberg, University of Gothenburg, SE-451 78, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden

    Martin Gullström

  4. Department of Marine Ecology - Tjärnö, University of Gothenburg, SE-452 96, Strömstad, Sweden

    Maria Bodin

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  1. Martin Gullström
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Correspondence to Martin Gullström.

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Communicated by D. Goulet.

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Gullström, M., Berkström, C., Öhman, M.C. et al. Scale-dependent patterns of variability of a grazing parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) in a tropical seagrass-dominated seascape. Mar Biol 158, 1483–1495 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1665-z

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