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Evidence for benthic primary production support of an apex predator–dominated coral reef food web

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Abstract

Five hundred and ninety-nine primary producers and consumers in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) (22°N–30°N, 160°W–180°W) were sampled for carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition to elucidate trophic relationships in a relatively unimpacted, apex predator–dominated coral reef ecosystem. A one-isotope (δ13C), two-source (phytoplankton and benthic primary production) mixing model provided evidence for an average minimum benthic primary production contribution of 65 % to consumer production. Primary producer δ15N values ranged from −1.6 to 8.0 ‰ with an average (2.1 ‰) consistent with a prevalence of N2 fixation. Consumer group δ15N means ranged from 6.6 ‰ (herbivore) to 12.1 ‰ (Galeocerdo cuvier), and differences between consumer group δ15N values suggest an average trophic enrichment factor of 1.8 ‰ Δ15N. Based on relative δ15N values, the larger G. cuvier may feed at a trophic position above other apex predators. The results provide baseline data for investigating the trophic ecology of healthy coral reef ecosystems.

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Abbreviations

BMA:

Benthic macroalgae

BMI:

Benthic microalgae

C:

Carbon

FL:

Fork length

FFS:

French Frigate Shoals

HCl:

Hydrochloric acid

IRMS:

Isotope ratio mass spectrometer

Lu:

Ludox

PMNM:

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

N:

Nitrogen

SD:

Standard deviation

SI:

Stable isotope

TEF:

Trophic enrichment factor

TL:

Total length

TP:

Trophic position

VM:

Vertical migration

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Acknowledgments

We thank R. Dollar, F. Parrish, and B. Popp for valuable discussions, E. Davenport for his technical expertise, E. Kehn for assistance with identification of macroalgal specimens, and H. Walsh, C. Meyer, Y. Papastamatiou, B. Bowen, and F. Parrish for sample collection. We thank the anonymous reviewers whose comments helped us significantly improve this paper. Funding was provided by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, and the National Ocean Service. A report based on data presented in this manuscript was included in Friedlander et al. (2009).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NOAA NOS NCCOS CCFHR, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC, USA

    Anna K. Hilting & Carolyn A. Currin

  2. NOAA NOS Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, 6600 Kalaniana′ole Highway, Honolulu, HI, USA

    Randall K. Kosaki

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  1. Anna K. Hilting
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Communicated by C. Harrod.

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Hilting, A.K., Currin, C.A. & Kosaki, R.K. Evidence for benthic primary production support of an apex predator–dominated coral reef food web. Mar Biol 160, 1681–1695 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2220-x

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