Abstract
Endemic marine species often exist as metapopulations distributed across several discrete locations, such that their extinction risk is dependent upon population dynamics and persistence at each location. The anemonefish Amphiprion latezonatus is a habitat specialist, endemic to two oceanic islands (Lord Howe and Norfolk) and the adjacent eastern Australian coast from the Sunshine Coast to Southwest Rocks. To determine how extinction risk varies across the limited number of locations where A. latezonatus occurs, we quantified ecological, biological, and behavioural characteristics at six locations and four reef zones. The abundance of A. latezonatus and its host anemones varied considerably throughout its range, with A. latezonatus abundance being very low at Sunshine Coast and Elizabeth Reef, low at Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, and moderate at North Solitary Island. This species was not detected at Middleton Reef, despite local abundance of their host anemones. Abundance of A. latezonatus was generally correlated with depth and host anemone abundance, from which we infer that extirpation risk is directly proportional to their host anemone population’s size. Consistent with this, A. latezonatus social group size was positively correlated with the number of anemones inhabited. A. latezonatus may be impacted by interactions and competition with other anemonefish species in shallow (< 10 m) waters, but competition has little effect in deeper water where population abundances are highest. Significant differences in population characteristics demonstrate a need for location-specific conservation strategies and identify the Sunshine Coast population as most vulnerable.
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All data and code are publicly accessible at https://doi.org/10.17632/dskhn32fsw.3.
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Acknowledgments
We are grateful for the valuable support and assistance provided by: S. Gudge and I. Kerr at Lord Howe Island Marine Park; P. Wruck (Oceanpets) at the Sunshine Coast; C. Connell and I. Banton (Dive Quest, Mullaway) and A. Scott at North Solitary Island; D. Biggs (Charter Marine), J. Edward (Bounty Divers), D. Creek, M. Smith, J. Marges, K. Christian, and J. and P. Davidson (Reserves and Forestry) at Norfolk Island; and T. Ayling at Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs. We also thank the reviewers for their comments and the Lord Howe Island Board, Envirofund Australia (Natural Heritage Trust), Lord Howe Island Marine Park, Australian Department of the Environment and Water Resources and the Capricorn Star for funding and/or logistical support.
Funding
This work was financially supported by a GBRMPA Science for Management award, the Griffith/James Cook University collaborative grant scheme (2011), the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. JP Hobbs was funded by the Australian Research Council DECRA – DE200101286. On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.
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All applicable national and institutional guidelines for sampling, care, and experimental use of organisms were followed and all necessary approvals were obtained. Permits obtained are Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Permit for Activity in a Commonwealth Reserve number 003-RRRWN-110211-02, New South Wales Marine Parks Permit numbers LHIMP/R/2011/004 and LHIMP/R/2011/004b, and James Cook University Australia Animal Ethics Committee Approval Application ID A1605.
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Steinberg, R.K., van der Meer, M.H., Pratchett, M.S. et al. Keep your friends close and your anemones closer – ecology of the endemic wideband anemonefish, Amphiprion latezonatus. Environ Biol Fish 103, 1513–1526 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-020-01035-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-020-01035-x