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Predator biomass, prey density, and species composition effects on group size in recruit coral reef fishes

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Abstract

Group incidence and size are described for recruit parrotfishes, wrasses, and damselfishes on Hawaiian reefs over 3 years (2006–2008) at sites spanning the archipelago (20–28°N, 155–177°W). Coral-poor and coral-rich areas were surveyed at sites with both low (Hawaii Island) and high (Midway Atoll) predator densities, facilitating examination of relations among predator and recruit densities, habitat, and group metrics. Predator and recruit densities varied spatially and temporally, with a sixfold range in total recruit densities among years. Group (≥2 recruits) metrics varied with time and tracked predator and recruit densities and the proportion of schooling species. Groups often included heterospecifics whose proportion increased with group size. A non-saturating relationship between group size and recruit density suggests that the anti-predator benefits of aggregation exceeded competitive costs. Grouping behavior may have overarching importance for recruit survival–even at high recruit densities–and merits further study on Hawaiian reefs and elsewhere.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support of EED during 2006–2010 was provided by the NOAA Fisheries, Office of Habitat Conservation, Coral Reef Conservation Program. Funds for TWA in 2007 and 2008 were provided by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. R. Larson and B. Zgliczynski assisted with field surveys in 2008. We also gratefully acknowledge the logistical support provided by Blue Wilderness Dive Adventures, Waikoloa, Hawaii, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. The NOAA National Ocean Service, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Office, issued permits to conduct studies at Midway Atoll during 2006–2008. We thank R. Humphreys, D. Kobayashi, and three anonymous reviewers for constructive criticisms that improved drafts of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 99-193 Aiea Heights Drive, Aiea, HI, 96701-3911, USA

    Edward E. DeMartini

  2. Department of Biology, Coastal and Marine Institute, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182-4614, USA

    Todd W. Anderson

  3. U. S. Geological Survey, Hawaii Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson 52, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Alan M. Friedlander

  4. Department of Marine Science, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 200 W. Kawili Street, Hilo, HI, 96720-4091, USA

    James P. Beets

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  1. Edward E. DeMartini
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Correspondence to Edward E. DeMartini.

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Communicated by D. Goulet.

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DeMartini, E.E., Anderson, T.W., Friedlander, A.M. et al. Predator biomass, prey density, and species composition effects on group size in recruit coral reef fishes. Mar Biol 158, 2437–2447 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1745-0

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