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Reduced density of the herbivorous urchin Diadema antillarum inside a Caribbean marine reserve linked to increased predation pressure by fishes

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Abstract

Disease has dramatically reduced populations of the herbivorous urchin Diadema antillarum Philippi on Caribbean reefs, contributing to an increased abundance of macroalgae and reduction of coral cover. Therefore, recovery of D. antillarum populations is critically important, but densities are still low on many reefs. Among the many potential factors limiting these densities, the focus of this study is on predation pressure by fishes. Marine reserves provide opportunities to examine large-scale manipulations of predator–prey interactions and, therefore, D. antillarum densities were compared inside and outside a reserve in The Bahamas (Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park; ECLSP). Urchins and their fish predators were surveyed at nine sites inside and outside the ECLSP. Because of lower fishing effort, the total biomass of urchin predators, weighted by their dietary preferences for urchins, was significantly higher inside the ECLSP. Furthermore, fish community structure was significantly different inside the Park because of the increased biomass of the majority of species. No urchins were seen inside the ECLSP and this was significantly lower than the density of 0.04 urchin m−2 outside the Park. Regression analysis indicated that the relationship between the biomass of urchin predators and the proportion of transects containing urchins was non-linear, suggesting that small increases in fish biomass dramatically reduce urchin abundances. The link between lower density of urchins and higher density of their predators inside the ECLSP is strengthened by discounting five alternative primary mechanisms (variations in macroalgal cover, larval supply, environmental setting, density of other urchin species and abundance of predators not surveyed). Caribbean marine reserves have an important conservation role, but increased fish predation appears to reduce densities of D. antillarum. Urchins currently have limited functional significance on Bahamian reefs, but any future recovery of D. antillarum is likely to be limited in reserves, with potentially important ecological consequences.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. We thank the Bahamas Department of Marine Resources, Ian Fair, Bruce Purdy, and the crew of the Pirate’s Lady for fieldwork support. We are very grateful to Jim Lindsey for help with gnlm. The editorial staff and four anonymous reviewers significantly improved the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biosciences, Hatherly Laboratory, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK

    A. R. Harborne & P. J. Mumby

  2. Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, 8181 Professional Place, Suite 215, Landover, MD, 20785, USA

    P. G. Renaud

  3. Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK

    E. H. M. Tyler

Authors
  1. A. R. Harborne
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  2. P. G. Renaud
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  3. E. H. M. Tyler
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  4. P. J. Mumby
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Correspondence to A. R. Harborne.

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Communicated by Environment Editor Prof. Rob van Woesik

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Harborne, A.R., Renaud, P.G., Tyler, E.H.M. et al. Reduced density of the herbivorous urchin Diadema antillarum inside a Caribbean marine reserve linked to increased predation pressure by fishes. Coral Reefs 28, 783–791 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-009-0516-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-009-0516-6

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