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Despite the marine environment being typified by a lack of obvious barriers to dispersal, levels of genetic divergence can arise in marine organisms from historical changes in habitat availability, current oceanographic regimes and anthropogenic factors. Here we describe the genetic structure of the Gray Parrotfish, Sparisoma axillare, and identify environmental variables associated with patterns of genetic divergence throughout most of its distribution in Brazil. The heavily exploited Gray Parrotfish is endemic to Brazil, and there is lack of data on population structure that is needed to support sustainable management. To address this shortfall we analyzed 5429 SNPs from individuals sampled in nine locations, ranging from tropical to subtropical reef systems and costal to oceanic environments with varying levels of protection. We found low levels of genetic structure along the coast, including the oceanic island of Fernando de Noronha, and that a combination of water depth, ocean currents and geographic distance were the major drivers explaining genetic divergence. We identified a distinct genetic population around Trindade Island, 1000 km from the coast, highlighting the conservation significance of this population. Colonization of this oceanic site probably occurred during the Pleistocene periods of lower sea levels, allowing this shallow water-dependent species to use the seamount chain as stepping stones to Trindade. Our data further suggest that two protected areas, Costa dos Corais and Fernando de Noronha, likely play an important role as larval sources for much of the species distribution., Acknowledgements This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001 and part by MCTI/CNPq/Universal—424790/2016-5 and by National Geographic Society—Research and Exploration (CP-077ER-17). JTV was funded by a PhD scholarship—CAPES and Macquarie University PhD scholarship. BPF (309216/2018-4). PFML (301515/2019-0) and SMQL (313644/2018-7) thank CNPq for productivity grants. CELF is funded by FAPERJ and CNPq. We thank R. Ranulpho for the map figure and the UFRN Graduate Program in Ecology for the infrastructural support. Funding Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. This study was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001, the National Geographic Society, the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico—Brasil (CNPq) Edital Universal and by National Geographic Society—Research and Exploration (CP-077ER-17).

Feeding ecology studies are crucial for understanding energy flow in reef ecosystems. In this study, we used an integrative approach to investigate the diel-feeding ecology of the sergeant-major Abudefduf saxatilis. To examine the possibility of diel-periodicity and size-class differences in foraging behaviour, we tracked fish individuals until their first bite on two subtropical reefs. During each observation, we recorded the substratum that was bitten and estimated the individual's total length. To assess the diet, we analysed the stomach contents of five individuals from each location. In total, we observed 2703 individuals biting seven substrates. Our results showed no significant differences in substrate use for diel-periodicity. However, we found significant differences between classes 2 and 4. Despite this, both populations tended to forage near the surface in the water column in the morning and on the benthos in the afternoon, although this tendency was not statistically significant. Smaller individuals fed mostly in the water column, while larger individuals foraged on all substrates, likely due to their different energetic demands. Our findings indicate this species has an omnivorous, generalist diet, comprising 12 items from both benthos and plankton. The lack of differences in diel-periodicity is likely due to the fish's opportunistic behaviour.

Consumers mediate nutrient cycling through excretion and egestion across most ecosystems. In nutrient-poor tropical waters such as coral reefs, nutrient cycling is critical for maintaining productivity. While the cycling of fish-derived inorganic nutrients via excretion has been extensively investigated, the role of egestion for nutrient cycling has remained poorly explored. We sampled the fecal contents of 570 individual fishes across 40 species, representing six dominant trophic guilds of coral reef fishes in Moorea, French Polynesia. We measured fecal macro- (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids) and micro-nutrients (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc) and compared the fecal nutrient quantity and quality across trophic guilds, taxa, and body size. Macro- and micronutrient concentrations in fish feces varied markedly across species. Genera and trophic guild best predicted fecal nutrient concentrations. In addition, nutrient composition in feces was unique among species within both trophic guilds (herbivores and corallivores) and genera (Acanthurus and Chaetodon). Particularly, certain coral reef fishes (e.g., Thalassoma hardwicke, Chromis xanthura, Chaetodon pelewensis and Acanthurus pyroferus) harbored relatively high concentrations of micronutrients (e.g., Mn, Mg, Zn and Fe, respectively) that are known to contribute to ocean productivity and positively impact coral physiological performances. Given the nutrient-rich profiles across reef fish feces, conserving holistic reef fish communities ensures the availability of nutritional pools on coral reefs. We therefore suggest that better integration of consumer egestion dynamics into food web models and ecosystem-scale processes will facilitate an improved understanding of coral reef functioning.

Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis is redescribed on the basis of the juvenile holotype and compared to known species of Cirrhilabrus. Examination of material from the Maldives identified as C. rubrisquamis reveal differences from the holotype collected from the Chagos Archipelago. Consequently, the Maldivian specimens are herein described as Cirrhilabrus finifenmaasp. nov., on the basis of the holotype and twelve paratypes. The new species differs from all congeners in having: males with anterior third to half of body bright magenta, peach to orange-pink posteriorly; lateral line with 22–26 pored scales (16–18 in the dorso-anterior series, 6–8 in the posterior peduncular series); tenth to eleventh dorsal-fin spine longest (14.0–15.5% SL); scales on the opercle, chest, isthmus, and anterior third of the body with a dark purple-red central region (purple in alcohol), the markings joining appearing crosshatched; dorsal, caudal, anal, and pelvic-fin rays purple in alcohol. Meristic details and coloration patterns of C. rubrisquamis are very similar to C. wakanda from Tanzania, Africa, although synonymy of both species cannot be determined without additional material from Chagos. This potential synonymy is briefly discussed; however, until such material becomes available, the taxonomic statuses of C. wakanda and C. rubrisquamis are here provisionally regarded as valid.

Coral reefs offer valuable ecosystem goods and services, such as coastal protection, erosion regulation, fishery, biodiversity, habitat and nursery grounds. However, they face threats from anthropogenic activities, including poor water quality, global warming, coastal development and unsustainable fisheries. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provide a structured and holistic approach in addressing these threats. Regular monitoring and assessment of these MPAs are crucial components in evaluating the MPAs design and effectiveness. Two coral reefs (i.e. Poblacion and Kadurong Reefs) were established as MPAs in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines to protect crucial habitat and biodiversity with the hope of improving fisheries by avoiding fish stock disintegration. These coral reefs provide shelter to many commercially-significant fish species, supporting subsistence and livelihood in the community. These MPAs are not only biologically rich, but they also support socio-economic stability. Hence, management and protection of the coral reefs in the MPAs of Liloan, Cebu is of paramount importance. To formulate conservation and applicable management measures, research and monitoring should be in place. This paper presents the data collected from the short term monitoring in the Poblaction and Kadurong Reefs. The paper describes an important set of data that can be used by the stakeholders to benchmark biophysical assessments for management of marine-protected areas in Liloan. This data paper provides baseline information on the health of the coral reefs of the MPAs in Liloan, Cebu. Datasets covering physico-chemical and biological parameters inclusive of water quality, coral reef cover, fish and plankton occurrence and abundance were determined using the standard protocols for surveying tropical marine resources. The results will serve as a benchmark in formulating guidelines and implementing relevant policies for the effective management and protection of the MPAs in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines.

As one of the marine areas included in the world's Coral Triangle region, Yos Sudarso Bay have a potential reef fish diversity that needs to be studied. However, there is very little information about reef fish diversity in these waters to date. This study aims to determine the species diversity of reef fish in Yos Sudarso Bay, Jayapura City, Indonesia. The study was conducted in April 2020 at seven sites; six of them located inside the Yos Sudarso Bay and one more located outside the bay. Sampling was carried out using the Underwater Visual Census method (25 m long and 5 m wide). Relative abundance by species, and diversity (H´), evenness (E), and dominance (C) indices were calculated. A total of 1,075 individual reef fish was recorded in seven study sites, representing 122 species and 26 families. Locations showed differences in reef fish abundance (86 to 215 individuals/125 m2), diversity (H´= 2.462 to 3.358), evenness (E = 0.770 to 0.887), and dominance (C = 0.047 to 0.155). This study has provided preliminary information on species diversity, fish abundance, and the ecological index of reef fish in Yos Sudarso Bay, Jayapura City.

Intensified coastal development is compromising the health and functioning of marine ecosystems. A key example of this is the Red Sea, a biodiversity hotspot subjected to increasing local human pressures. While some marine‐protected areas (MPAs) were placed to alleviate these stressors, it is unclear whether these MPAs are managed or enforced, thus providing limited protection. Yet, most importantly, MPAs in the Red Sea were not designed using climate considerations, likely diminishing their effectiveness against global stressors. Here, we propose to tailor the design of MPAs in the Red Sea by integrating approaches to enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation. First, including coral bleaching susceptibility could produce a more resilient network of MPAs by safeguarding reefs from different thermal regions that vary in spatiotemporal bleaching responses, reducing the risk that all protected reefs will bleach simultaneously. Second, preserving the basin‐wide genetic connectivity patterns that are assisted by mesoscale eddies could further ensure recovery of sensitive populations and maintain species potential to adapt to environmental changes. Finally, protecting mangrove forests in the northern and southern Red Sea that act as major carbon sinks could help offset greenhouse gas emissions. If implemented with multinational cooperation and concerted effort among stakeholders, our portfolio of climate‐tailored approaches may help build a network of MPAs in the Red Sea that protects more effectively its coastal resources against escalating coastal development and climate instability. Beyond the Red Sea, we anticipate this study to serve as an example of how to improve the utility of tropical MPAs as climate‐informed conservation tools., A marine protected area (MPA) design for the Red Sea that buffers against the effects of global climate change includes coral reefs that vary in bleaching susceptibility over time: from unbleached/healthy, to heat‐stress‐ and upwelling‐induced bleaching, to recovering‐from‐bleaching reefs. Crucially, such MPA design also accounts for seascape genetics by ensuring these reefs are genetically and physically (through mesoscale eddies) connected to promote recovery and adaptation. Finally, a climate‐informed MPA design helps offset carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) by protecting high blue carbon areas, which are large mangrove forests that uptake CO2 from the atmosphere via photosynthesis and sequester it in sediments.

We used a 12-yr data set of benthic cover (2005�2017), spanning two bleaching events, to assess changes in benthic cover and coral community composition along 21 islands within Gulf of Mannar (GoM), southeast India. Overall, between 2005 and 2017 reefs had a simultaneous decrease in relative coral cover (avg. = ? 36%) and increase in algal cover (avg. = + 45%). Changes in benthic cover were not consistent among islands, ranging from ? 34 to + 5% for coral cover and from ? 0.3 to + 50% for algae. There was a spatial gradient in coral mortality, which increased among islands from west to east. However, there was a disconnect between coral loss and subsequent increases in algae. Algal cover increased more on islands in west GoM where coral loss was minimal. Environmental co-factors (coral cover, percent bleaching, degree heating weeks, fish densities, Chl-a, pollution) explained > 50% of the benthic cover responses to successive bleaching. Coral survival was favored on islands with higher fish densities and chlorophyll-a levels, and increases in algal cover were associated with higher measures of pollution from terrestrial runoff. Coral morphotypes differed in their response following successive bleaching resulting in changes in the relative abundance of different coral morphotypes. Existing climate projections (RCP8.5) indicate a 22-yr gap in the onset of annual severe bleaching (ASB) for reefs in the east versus west GoM, and ASB was ameliorated for all reefs under the RCP4.5 projections. There is limited knowledge of the resilience of GoM reefs, and this study identifies coral morphotypes and reefs that are most likely to recover or decline from successive bleaching, in the context of forecasts of the frequency of future bleaching events in GoM. � 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. Climate projections for GoM were done under the Third NATCOM (National Communication) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) project of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Government of India�(GOI). The authors are thankful to the MoEF & CC,�GOI; Tamil Nadu Forest Department (TNFD), Government of Tamil Nadu (GOTN); Department of Environment, GOTN; Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust, GOTN; Coral Reef Degradation in Indian Ocean, Sweden; and V.O.Chidambaranar Port Trust (VOCPT), GOI for funding support. Thanks are also due to Chief Wildlife Warden, TNFD; Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (GOMMNP), GOTN; and Chairman, VOCPT, GOI, for research permissions to carry out coral reef surveys and monitoring within the Marine National Park and harbour area and to Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute for logistical support.�Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Scopus

El mero patagónico, Acanthistius patachonicus, es uno de los peces más abundantes de los arrecifes patagónicos. Es capturado por pescadores artesanales y muy consumido en la región. Este estudio reporta nuevos datos parasitológicos para este pez, y compara cualitativamente la riqueza parasitaria hallada con la de otras especies de peces (i.e. Sebastes oculatus, Pinguipes brasilianus y Pseudopercis semifasciata) que cohabitan con el mero en estos arrecifes. Los hospedadores fueron colectados en los arrecifes rocosos de los golfos San José y Nuevo, y procesados en búsqueda de parásitos. Se identificaron 12 taxa, ocho endoparásitos y cuatro ectoparásitos. Este pez actúa como hospedador intermediario de larvas tipo tetrafilídeo, de Dollfustrema sp. y de Gnathiidae gen. et sp.; como hospedador paraténico de Anisakidae gen. et sp. y de Corynosoma australe; y como hospedador definitivo de Allobenedenia dischizosepta, Dichelyne (C.) szidati, Clavella sp., Lecithochirium sp., Lecithocladium sp., Dracunculoidea fam. gen. et sp. y de Clavellotis sp. Cinco especies parásitas (Dollfustrema sp., A. dischizosepta, D. (C.) szidati, Dracunculoidea y Clavella sp.) conforman nuevos registros en los golfos norpatagónicos. Las larvas de tetrafilídeo, gnátido, anisákidos y de C. australe son parásitos comunes en las otras tres especies de peces de arrecife. Acanthistius patachonicus, S. oculatus y Pi. brasilianus presentaron una riqueza similar (10 y 12 respectivamente), mientras que de acuerdo a la bibliografía Ps. semifasciata alberga 22 especies, diferencias que podrían estar dadas por el tipo de dieta. Las cuatro especies de peces presentaron proporciones similares de especies parásitas en estadio larval y adulto. A su vez, se destacan valores intermedios a altos de prevalencias de los taxa potencialmente zoonóticos (L3 de anisákidos y cistacantas de C. australe), presentes en el mero y las otras tres especies de peces mencionadas. La parasitofauna del mero refleja la capacidad de transportar larvas y su rol versátil como presa de mamíferos marinos, aves o grandes peces, y como depredador de peces pequeños e invertebrados en las tramas tróficas de dichos arrecifes., The Patagonian grouper Acanthistius patachonicus is one of the most abundant fish in the Patagonian reefs. It is caught by artisanal fishermen and preferentially consumed in the region. This study reports new parasitological data on this fish. The species richness was qualitatively compared with that of other three fish species cohabiting these reefs (i.e. Sebastes oculatus, Pinguipes brasilianus, and Pseudopercis semifasciata). Fish were collected from the rocky reefs of both San José and Nuevo gulfs, and prospected for parasites. Twelve parasitic taxa, eight endoparasites, and four ectoparasites were identified. The Patagonian grouper acts as an intermediate host of one tetraphyllidean larva, Dollfustrema sp., and one Gnathiidae gen. et sp.; as paratenic host of Anisakidae gen. et sp., and Corynosoma australe; and as definitive host of Allobenedenia dischizosepta, Dichelyne (C.) szidati, Clavella sp., Lecithochirium sp., Lecithocladium sp., Dracunculoidea fam. gen. et sp., and Clavellotis sp. Five species of parasites, Dollfustrema sp., A. dischizosepta, D. (C.) szidati, Dracunculoidea, and Clavella sp. constitute new records for both North Patagonian gulfs. The tetraphyllidean, gnathiid, anisakids, and C. australe larvae are common parasites recorded in the other three reef fish species. Acanthistius patachonicus, S. oculatus, and Pi. brasilianus showed a similar species richness -10 to 12 specieswhereas Ps. semifasciata presented 22 species according to the bibliography. Those differences could be given by the diet type of each fish species. The four fish species presented a similar ratio of parasite species on both larval and adult stages. At the same time, values of intermediate to high prevalences of potentially zoonotic taxa (anisakids L3, and C. australe cystacanths), present in the grouper and the other three fish species mentioned above are highlighted. The grouper parasitofauna reflects its capacity to carry larvae and its versatile role as a prey for marine mammals, birds or larger fish, or as a predator of smaller fish and invertebrates from food webs of these reefs., Asociación Parasitológica Argentina

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:52:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-03-01 Fundação Grupo Boticário de Proteção à Natureza Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Visual census conducted by divers has remained the most common method for obtaining quantitative data on reef fish assemblages since it was first applied in the 1950s. More recently, stereo-video systems are increasingly becoming popular as a sampling method to complement underwater visual counts. Understanding which method is more suitable to estimate fish assemblage metrics for particular objectives and hypotheses is important to design effective studies. Here, we compared rocky reef fish assemblage characteristics sampled by diver-based stationary point count and transect visual census, as well as back and forth diver-operated stereo-video systems (stereo-DOVs) and baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVs) in a coastal island in Southwestern Atlantic. Diver-based methods sampled a higher richness and abundance of fishery non-target species closely associated with the reef, as well as cryptobenthic small-bodied species. Conversely, stereo-BRUVs’ samples focused more on larger and mobile carnivorous fishery target species of the families Carangidae and Lutjanidae. The stereo-DOV recorded higher species richness compared to other methods and required less sample effort in the field. Limitations faced by the four methods were discussed; however, the higher sampling efficiency of the adapted back and forth stereo-DOVs, combined with the diverse advantages of video techniques, such as permanent record of data and decreased interobserver variability for species identification and estimates of body size, indicates stereo-DOVs as a highly efficient method to assess the entire fish assemblage, across feeding guilds and commercially important species. In addition, when combined with a remote technique, such as stereo-BRUVs, both of these methods efficiently capture estimates of diversity metrics as well as body size information especially for fishery target species in rocky reefs. Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo Elasmobranch Research Laboratory Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia (UWA) Department of Environmental Sciences Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Rio de Janeiro Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo Elasmobranch Research Laboratory Institute of Biosciences São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo Fundação Grupo Boticário de Proteção à Natureza: 1043_20151 CNPq: 141799/2016-1 CNPq: 308430/2015-8

WOS:000760264100025; International audience; Maintaining key functions of coral reefs is vital for the persistence of these ecosystems as well as for securing the goods and services that they provide in the Anthropocene. Underwater photogrammetry by Structure from Motion (SfM) allows the quantification of novel habitat descriptors that may be particularly relevant in assessing key reefscape traits, that is, physical and ecological characteristics of coral reef habitats. Here, we combined this new technology with fish surveys to explore how reefscape traits shape the functional structure of reef fish assemblages around three environmentally contrasted islands of the Indo-Pacific (Europa Island, Reunion Island, and New Caledonia). At 24 sites, habitat descriptors were computed from digital elevation models (DEM) and orthomosaics, while reef fish assemblages were assessed by visual census and video footage. Four habitat descriptors were marginally correlated and presented low variance inflation factor (VIF) values, thus being the most complementary descriptors: surface complexity, total shelter capacity, Shannon Shelter Index, and total coral cover. Linear mixed models (LMM) were used to explore the relationships between these habitat descriptors and four key fish functional entities: prey, planktivores, grazers, and predators. For each model, the variance explained (i.e., marginal R-2) was significantly higher when considering multiple predictors, including the novel three-dimensional descriptors (i.e., total shelter capacity and Shannon Shelter Index). The habitat descriptors quantified from underwater photogrammetry outputs (i.e., DEM and orthomosaics) provide easily available data to assess key reefscape traits and predict fish assemblage structure in coral reef ecosystems. This trait-based functional approach allows consistent assessment of the links between these descriptors from local to regional scales. Considering the global coral reef crisis and the increasing availability of world-reef photogrammetric surveys, this new technology should be key to bringing solutions to 21st-century conservation issues.

Behavioural responses allow organisms to persist under environmental change, maintaining viable populations and shaping ecological communities. My thesis contributes to our understanding of the proximate causes and ultimate consequences of the drivers of behavioural variation, using coral reef fish as a model system. Across four data chapters, I show how multiple aspects of the physical and social environment contribute to variation in the expression of multiple behaviours both between and within populations across two reef fish families. In Chapter 1, I use meta-analytical techniques to explore inconsistencies in animal behavioural responses to environmental change across multiple taxa. In this Chapter, I identify that behavioural variation is driven by a combination of ecological and methodological context-dependent factors. Chapter 2 investigates how broad-scale variation in nutritional resource availability drives behavioural variation in an obligate corallivore. I show the necessity of considering the co-correlation of multiple behaviours, and the trade-offs between different behaviours in understanding behavioural variation between and within both individuals and populations. Chapter 3considers how energy-dependent territorial behaviours can be predicted by the economic defendability of nutritional resources. In this chapter, I provide the first evidence that terrestrial invasive species on remote islands directly impact farmer damselfish territoriality via the disruption of a seabird-derived nutritional pathway. Finally, in Chapter 4, I create a mathematical model to further test the applicability of economic defendability theory to territoriality. I confront my model with the empirical data in Chapter 3 to show how reef fish territoriality is driven by the complex interplay between resource availability, competition intensity and individual state. Finally, I utilise the outputs from Chapters 1-4 to place behaviour in an evolutionary context and conceptualise how behaviour can scale up to impact species interactions, community composition and coral reef resilience.

The genus Acyrtus (Gobiesocidae) is represented by four valid species distributed in the western Atlantic, and a recently described fifth species from the eastern Pacific. Here, we describe a new species endemic to Trindade Island, Brazil, and provide the first phylogenetic inference for the genus including all representatives. The new species can be distinguished from all its congeners by meristic and morphometric characters, as well as genetic differences. It presents low genetic diversity and, contrarily to other Trindade Island endemic fishes, shows no evidence of recent population growth. Our phylogeny reveals cryptic species and the paraphyletic nature of Acyrtus, which included Arcos nudus (western Atlantic) in a clade that separated from Arcos erythrops (tropical eastern Pacific) around 20 Mya. The three species found in the Brazilian Province, including one that remains undescribed, form a monophyletic clade which colonized the western South Atlantic around 2.6 Mya. Our study suggests that Arcos nudus should be placed in Acyrtus, and that the relationships among the closely-related Gobiesocidae genera Acyrtus (mostly from the Atlantic Ocean) and Arcos (from the Pacific Ocean) need further investigation. Resumo O gênero Acyrtus (Gobiesocidae) é representado por quatro espécies válidas encontradas no Atlântico ocidental e uma recentemente descrita do Pacífico oriental. Aqui descrevemos uma nova espécie endêmica da Ilha da Trindade, Brasil, e apresentamos a primeira inferência filogenética para o gênero incluindo todos os representantes. A nova espécie pode ser distinguida de suas congêneres por caracteres merísticos e morfométricos, bem como por diferenças genéticas. A espécie apresenta baixa diversidade genética, entretanto, diferentemente de outras espécies endêmicas da Ilha da Trindade, não mostra evidência de expansão populacional recente. A filogenia obtida revelou a existência de espécies crípticas e a natureza parafilética de Acyrtus, o qual inclui Arcos nudus (do Atlântico ocidental), e que é separado de Arcos erythrops (do Pacifico tropical oriental) por cerca de 20 milhões de anos. As três espécies encontradas no Brasil, incluindo uma ainda não descrita, formam um clado monofilético que colonizou o Atlântico Sul ocidental há cerca de 2,6 milhões de anos. Nosso estudo sugere que Arcos nudus deva ser alocado no gênero Acyrtus, e que as relações entre os gêneros Acyrtus (em maioria do Oceano Atlântico) e Arcos (do Oceano Pacífico) precisam ser estudadas em mais detalhes.

Acknowledgements : We thank M. Ambly, C. d’Agata and A. Ostman ¨ for help in the field. We also wish to thank the VCWS and the Parque Nacional de Arquipélago de Bazaruto (PNAB) for their thorough support during the field work, Mr. H. Brown and all the staff at Msasa, G. van Wyk and our skipper Orlando. We also thank three anonymous reviewers whose comments helped improve the manuscript. Research permits – Permission to conduct research in the PNAB was provided by the Administraçao ˜ Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC). Research permission for the Santuario Bravio de Vilanculos (Vilanculos Wildlife Coastal Sanctuary - VWCS) was provided by the VWCS. Funding was provided by the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) MARG I grant, Stockholm University (Sweden) and the Swedish Research Council (VR; no. E0344801 and 2015–05902). Tropical seagrass meadows are critical habitats for many fish species, yet few studies have investigated the influence of multiple scale-dependent factors and marine protected areas on seagrass fish species of differing life histories. We assessed the influence of fine-scale seagrass meadow characteristics and seascape-scale variables on the abundance of fish in a seagrass-dominated seascape in the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique, particularly examining patterns of nursery- vs. resident species as well as mobile- vs. sedentary species. We found that fish distribution patterns in this seagrass-dominated seascape were dependent on species’ life history characteristics; nursery taxa showed lower abundance in seagrass meadows further from adult reef habitats, while resident species within seagrass meadows occurred in higher abundances far from reefs. For taxa utilizing both mangroves and seagrass meadows as nursery habitat, proximity to mangroves was an important factor. Fish abundances were generally influenced by variables at the seascape scale (km), while sedentary species were predominantly influenced by area variables, and smaller seascapes (

Damselfishes are known keystone species of reef environments, however large-scale distribution patterns are poorly studied in the southwestern Atlantic. We evaluated main drivers of distribution of three conspicuous damselfishes, along tropical and subtropical coastal systems, in Brazil. Abundances were assessed against wave exposure, depth (within 1–7 m in tropical and 1–11 m in subtropical reefs) and benthic cover. Despite differences between systems, exposure and depth consistently explained damselfishes distribution. Stegastes fuscus, the larger damselfish species of the genus in the southwestern Atlantic, was dominant in both systems, inhabiting preferably shallow and sheltered reefs. Conversely, Stegastes variabilis occupied shallow habitats with higher exposure. Stegastes pictus was absent from tropical reefs sampled, inhabiting depths >7 m, in subtropical reefs. Species were weakly associated with benthic features, which poorly predicted changes in abundances. Regardless, S. fuscus showed association with articulated calcareous algae, and S. variabilis juveniles associated with erect macroalgae. Despite occurring in very distinctive reef systems, Brazilian damsels habitat requirements are consistent in both tropical and subtropical reefs. While highly persistent species, long term monitoring will inform us how they respond to pervasive global changes and human impacts along Brazilian reefs. Resumo Os peixes donzela são espécies-chave em ambientes recifais, contudo seus padrões de distribuição em grande escala são pouco conhecidos no sudoeste do Atlântico. Avaliamos os principais descritores de distribuição para três espécies comuns em sistemas recifais tropicais e costões rochosos subtropicais costeiros no Brasil, em resposta a diferentes regimes de exposição a ondas, profundidade e cobertura bentônica. Apesar das grandes diferenças entre estes sistemas, a exposição das ondas e a profundidade consistentemente explicaram sua distribuição. Stegastes fuscus é numericamente dominante, sendo a maior espécie do gênero no Atlântico sudoeste, dominando recifes rasos e menos hidrodinâmicos, enquanto S. variabilis foi mais abundante em habitats com maior hidrodinamismo. Stegastes pictus foi ausente nos recifes rasos tropicais amostrados e, nos recifes rochosos subtropicais, foi mais abundante em profundidades acima de 7 m. Características do substrato influenciaram pouco a densidade, porem S. fuscus apresentou associação a algas calcárias articuladas, enquanto juvenis de S. variabilis se associaram a macroalgas eretas. Peixes donzelas são generalistas e persistentes, ocorrendo em ambientes distintos, e mesmo assim, regulados de forma especifica e consistente ao longo da costa. O monitoramento a longo prazo nos informará como elas responderão às constantes mudanças globais e impactos antrópicos nos recifes brasileiros.

Data and code associated with the paper "Ecological dependencies make remote reef fish communities most vulnerable to coral loss" by Giovanni Strona, Pieter S.A. Beck, Mar Cabeza, Simone Fattorini, Francois Guilhaumon, Fiorenza Micheli, Simone Montano, Otso Ovaskainen, Serge Planes, Joseph A. Veech, Valeriano Parravicini

Streptococcus iniae is an emerging zoonotic pathogen of increasing concern for aquaculture and has caused several epizootics in reef fishes from the Caribbean, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. To study the population structure, introduction pathways and evolution of S. iniae over recurring epizootics on Reunion Island, we developed and validated a Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) panel using genomic data obtained from 89 isolates sampled during epizootics occurring over the past 40years in Australia, Asia, the United States, Israel and Reunion Island. We selected eight housekeeping loci, which resulted in the greatest variation across the main S. iniae phylogenetic clades highlighted by the whole genomic dataset. We then applied the developed MLST to investigate the origin of S. iniae responsible for four epizootics on Reunion Island, first in inland aquaculture and then on the reefs from 1996 to 2014. Results suggest at least two independent S. iniae emergence events occurred on the island. Molecular data support that the first epizootic resulted from an introduction, with inland freshwater aquaculture facilities acting as a stepping-stone. Such an event may have been facilitated by the ecological flexibility of S. iniae, able to survive in both fresh and marine waters and the ability of the pathogen to infect multiple host species. By contrast, the second epizootic was associated with a distinct ST of cosmopolitan distribution that may have emerged as a result of environment disturbance. This novel tool will be effective at investigating recurrent epizootics occurring within a given environment or country that is despite the fact that S. iniae appears to have low genetic diversity within its lineage.

This repository includes all behavioural, count, and otolith data used in the analyses of Valenzuela et al. "Ontogenetic habitat shifts in fusiliers (Lutjanidae): evidence from Caesio cuning at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef", Coral Reefs., Preparation and analysis of this dataset was funded by the Australian Research Council through a Laureate Fellowship (FL190100062 to DRB).

The fishes of the family Tripterygidae are commonly known as triplefins because its dorsal fin is divided into three segments. Of the 183 species recognized as valid only 16 are distributed in the eastern Pacific. Two endemic species and only members of the family are found in the FFS Malpelo Island: Axoclinus rubinoffi y Lepidonectes bimaculatus. In this work, additional data are provided on the adults and larvae of the triplefins of the sanctuary. The mean abundances of the larvae were 1,88 individuals/m2 for A. rubinoffi and 0.25 individuals/m2 for L. bimaculatus at the night stations where they were collected, 0.8 and 1.61 km to the west of the island and very close specifically on El Arrecife and La Nevera. The adults were collected around the island between 0-30 m depth and the abundance was 0.22 individuals/m2 for L. bimaculatus and 0.19 individuals/m2 for A. rubinoffi. The natural variability of the morphological traits of both species is extended and differences between the population densities with previous studies are found. To really understand the population dynamics of these species, it is necessary to evaluate long time series and include other methods such as genetic information. RESUMEN La familia Tripterygiidae incluye a los peces conocidos como triple aletas por la división en tres segmentos que caracteriza la aleta dorsal de sus especies. De las 183 especies reconocidas como válidas para la familia solamente 16 se distribuyen en el Pacífico oriental, incluyendo dos endémicas y únicas representantes de la familia en el Santuario de Fauna y Flora Isla Malpelo: Axoclinus rubinoffi y Lepidonectes bimaculatus. El presente trabajo aporta datos morfológicos y ecológicos de la etapa larval y adulta para las dos especies de triple aletas del santuario. Con respecto a las larvas, la abundancia promedio fue de 1,88 individuos/m2 para A. rubinoffi y 0,25 individuos/m2 para L. bimaculatus en las estaciones nocturnas donde fueron recolectadas, a 0,8 y 1,61 km de distancia al occidente y en localidades muy cercanas a la isla como El Arrecife y La Nevera. Los adultos fueron recolectados alrededor de la isla entre 0-30 m de profundidad y su abundancia fue de 0,22 individuos/m2 para L. bimaculatus y de 0,19 individuos/m2 para A. rubinoffi. Se amplía el conocimiento de la variabilidad natural de los rangos morfológicos de ambas especies y se evidencian diferencias entre las densidades poblacionales encontradas en previos estudios. Para entender las dinámicas poblacionales de estas especies es necesario evaluar series de tiempo más largas e incluir otras metodologías de estudio como las evaluaciones genéticas.

Overfishing, pollution and global changes threaten reef ecosystems all over the world and several conservation actions emerged to reduce and mitigate such impacts. Citizen-based programs with hands-on conservation experience and voluntarily data collection are a successful way of involving society in the conservation process. We developed and tested a citizen-based monitoring protocol to monitor reef fish and sea turtles during regular recreational diving operations, with minimum impact on the routine of the diving company. We compared data collected by volunteer divers and by trained scientists using this protocol, and assessed the influence of the volunteers´ diving experience in data collection. We found that recreational divers were able to record all the species included in the monitoring slate, providing estimates of species abundance and composition that did not differ from those obtained by trained scientific divers using the same protocol. This method also recorded large reef species, such as rays, sharks and turtles more effectively in comparison to traditional scientific surveys conducted in the same area. Such difference indicates complementarity between the citizen-based monitoring protocol and traditional scientific monitoring methods. The diving experience of recreational divers did not affect their ability to characterize reef assemblages and most volunteers provided a positive feedback of their experience as citizen-scientists. Therefore, recreational divers can be powerful citizen-scientists and implementing similar monitoring protocols in reef areas, particularly in marine protected areas where diving activities are allowed and regulated, seems feasible and a good way to engage divers in data collection and marine conservation.

Cirrhilabruswakandasp. nov. is described on the basis of the holotype and four paratypes collected between 50 and 80m depth over low-complexity reef and rubble bottoms at the east coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania, Africa. The new species belongs to a group of fairy wrasses from the western Indian Ocean, sharing a combination of characters that include: short pelvic fins (not or barely reaching anal-fin origin); relatively unmarked dorsal and anal fins; males with a strongly lanceolate caudal fin (except in C.rubrisquamis); both sexes with a pair of prominent facial stripes above and below the orbit; and both sexes with prominent purple scales and osseus elements that persist, and stain purple, respectively, even in preservation. This group of fairy wrasse is part of a larger complex that includes related species from the western Pacific Ocean. In addition to meristic and morphometric comparisons, we also compare mitochondrial DNA sequence data to the aforementioned, putatively related species.

Trawling is the main fishing practice worldwide and its ecosystem effects have been raising concern over the past decades. Long-term impacts can be monitored through changes in the trophic structure, and several studies evaluated trophic level (TL) shifts in fish populations between trawled and untrawled environments. However, published results are contrasting. We performed a metanalysis integrating all available studies that evaluated TL shifts in fishes between trawled and untrawled environments and conducted a local study comparing several features of the trophic ecology in two species of fishes. According to the metanalysis, TL does not change significantly with trawling. In contrast, the local study showed higher TLs and broader isotopic niches in the trawled environment. Diet reconstruction indicated a potential consumption of hake, the main discard component, at the trawled environment. All the studies used in the metanalysis were conducted in the Northern Hemisphere, whereas the local study represents the first data available from the Southern Hemisphere. As industrial commercial fisheries in Argentina are relatively recent, it is possible that our data are capturing the initial stage of ecological changes induced by trawling, compared with the historical fisheries located at the Northern Hemisphere. Fil: Funes, Manuela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; Argentina Fil: Marinao, Cristian Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; Argentina Fil: Galvan, David Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; Argentina

Reef fish resources are the main catch in Karimunjawa National Park. The fishing activities are feared to have an impact on the sustainability of fish resources inside and outside the conservation area. The purpose of this study is to analyze of the sustainability of reef fish resources (Family Caesionidae) in marine protected area. The study was conducted in Karimunjawa National Park (TNKJ) in Jepara Regency, Central Java, April-September 2017. Data collection was carried out by survey, observation, and deep interview methods, including primary data. Coral fish of the Caesionidae family, which were the object of research, were Caesio cuning and Caesio caerulaurea. Data collection on fish length and weight was carried out six times sampling (for six months). Examples of fish taken from three collectors in Karimunjawa Village. Water quality data was taken for analysis of pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and salinity. Data analysis using FISAT II program and estimation of spawning potential ratio (SPR) using length-based spawning potential ratio analysis. To analyze management aspects of reef fishes, stakeholder analysis was carried out. The research results indicated that Caesio cuning and Caesio caerulaurea had exploitation rate values ​​of 0.69 and 0.61, in the condition of over exploited. The spawning potential ratio (SPR) value are 0.14 and 0.25 (the capacity of adult fish that is ready naturally to spawn is very small). Water quality data is below the water quality standard for marine biota, indicated that the waters of the Karimunjawa National Park was sustainable. The results of stakeholder analysis indicated that there are four parties who are the subject of management. They were fisheries management authorities and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as work partners of the management authority. Ikan karang merupakan sumber daya ikan yang menjadi tangkapan utama nelayan di Taman Nasional Karimunjawa. Penangkapan ikan tersebut dikhawatirkan berdampak pada keberlanjutan sumber daya ikan di dalam dan luar kawasan konservasi. Tujuan studi ini adalah menganalisis keberlanjutan sumber daya ikan karang Famili Caesionidae di kawasan konservasi. Studi dilakukan di Taman Taman Nasional Karimunjawa (TNKJ) Kabupaten Jepara, Jawa Tengah, April-September 2017. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan metode survei, observasi, dan wawancara dengan mengumpulkan data primer. Ikan karang Famili Caesionidae yang menjadi objek penelitian adalah Caesio cuning dan Caesio caerulaurea. Pengambilan data panjang dan bobot ikan dilakukan empat kali sampling (selama empat bulan). Contoh ikan diambil dari tiga pengepul di Desa Karimunjawa. Data kualitas air diambil untuk analisis pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), suhu, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), dan salinitas. Analisis data menggunakan program FISAT II dan pendugaan spawning potential ratio (SPR) menggunakan analisis length-based spawning potential ratio. Untuk menganalisis aspek pengelolaan, dilakukan analisis stakeholder. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Caesio cuning dan Caesio caerulaurea mempunyai nilai laju eksploitasi berturut-turut 0,69 dan 0,61, berada pada kondisi over exploited. Nilai spawning potential ratio (SPR) berturut-turut adalah 0,14 dan 0,25 (kapasitas ikan dewasa yang siap memijah di alam sangat sedikit). Data kualitas air berada di bawah baku mutu perairan untuk biota laut, menunjukkan perairan TNKJ dalam kondisi berlanjut. Hasil analisis stakeholder menunjukkan ada empat pihak yang menjadi subjek pengelolaan, dan semuanya adalah pemegang otoritas pengelolaan perikanan dan Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat (LSM) sebagai partner kerja otoritas pengelola.

The ability to discriminate familiar from unfamiliar conspecifics has been demonstrated in several species of fish. Agonistic interactions are among the most frequent behaviors exhibited by territorial species and could offer useful information for the individual recognition process. In agonistic situations, memory may modulate the behavioral response and affect social dynamics, but few studies have explored the memory retention acquired during aggressive encounters. The present study investigated the memory retention of an agonistic encounter in the dusky damselfish Stegastes fuscus. The experimental procedure was divided into three parts: (1) Familiarization; (2) Recognition test; and (3) Memory test. During the familiarization phase, the fish were visually exposed to the same conspecific for 5 days (10 min per day) and the behavior was recorded. On the following day (conspecific recognition test), half of the animals were paired with the same conspecific and the other half with a different conspecific for 10 min, and the behavior was recorded. The fish were retested 5, 10, and 15 days after the test to evaluate memory retention. In the memory test, they were exposed to the same conspecific as before or to a different conspecific. We found that the damselfish reduced their agonistic displays when the stimulus fish was familiar, but when it was unfamiliar, the animals were more aggressive and only reduced their mnemonic response after 10 days. These results suggest that the recognition ability of damselfish can be affected by time and that it modulates agonistic response.

Tanjung Pulisan area in Likupang has been designated as part of the Likupang Special Economic Zone (SEZ), as one of five super-priority tourist destinations. To support this program, it is urgent to have an assessment based on coral reef and fish ecology that can be destined as a tourism target. Thus, the purpose of this study is to provide information on the percentage of hard coral cover, the percentage of hard coral genera, as well as the density of reef fish in the waters of Tanjung Pulisan. The author uses the Line Intercept Transect and Underwater Visual Census methods at three stations which are combined synergistically to obtain data on corals and target reef fish effectively. Data were analyzed using the Microsoft Excel program. The results of the analysis showed that the percentage of live coral cover in Tanjung Pulisan waters was categorized as moderate with an average percentage of 47.04%, consisting of 30.28% hard coral and 16.76% soft coral. In these waters, 32 genera of hard corals were found, and Porites as the most dominant genus, with an average percentage of 23.01 %. In addition, the total average density of target reef fish in this location was 0.185 ind/m2, with the most dominant family being Acanthuridae with an average density value of 0.096 ind/m2.Keywords: Hard coral; Likupang; Reef fish; Tanjung PulisanAbstrakKawasan Tanjung Pulisan, Likupang telah ditetapkan menjadi bagian dari Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus (KEK) Likupang, satu dari lima destinasi wisata super prioritas. Guna menunjang program ini, perlu dilakukan analisis berbasis ekologi karang dan ikan karang yang bisa dijadikan sebagai target wisata. Berdasarkan ini maka dilakukan riset tutupan karang keras, persentase genera karang keras, juga kepadatan ikan karang di lokasi tersebut. Metode yang digunakan adalah Line Intercept Transect dan Sensus Visual Bawah Air pada tiga stasiun yang dipadukan secara sinergis untuk memperoleh data karang dan ikan karang target secara efektif. Data dianalisis menggunakan program Microsoft Excel. Hasil analisis menunjukan bahwa persentase tutupan karang hidup di perairan Tanjung Pulisan terkategorikan sedang dengan persentase rata-rata sebesar 47,04 %, yang terdiri dari 30,28 % karang keras dan 16,76 % karang lunak. Di perairan ini ditemukan 32 genera karang keras, dengan genus yang paling dominan yaitu Porites dengan persentase rata-rata sebesar 23,01 %. Selain itu, total kepadatan rata-rata ikan karang target di lokasi ini adalah 0,185 ind/m2, dengan Famili yang paling dominan adalah Acanthuridae dengan nilai kepadatan rata-rata sebesar 0,096 ind/m2.Kata kunci: Ikan karang; Karang keras; Likupang; Tanjung Pulisan

Streptococcus iniae is an emerging zoonotic pathogen of increasing concern for aquaculture and has caused several epizootics in reef fishes from the Caribbean, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. To study the population structure, introduction pathways and evolution of S. iniae over recurring epizootics on Reunion Island, we developed and validated a Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) panel using genomic data obtained from 89 isolates sampled during epizootics occurring over the past 40years in Australia, Asia, the United States, Israel and Reunion Island. We selected eight housekeeping loci, which resulted in the greatest variation across the main S. iniae phylogenetic clades highlighted by the whole genomic dataset. We then applied the developed MLST to investigate the origin of S. iniae responsible for four epizootics on Reunion Island, first in inland aquaculture and then on the reefs from 1996 to 2014. Results suggest at least two independent S. iniae emergence events occurred on the island. Molecular data support that the first epizootic resulted from an introduction, with inland freshwater aquaculture facilities acting as a stepping-stone. Such an event may have been facilitated by the ecological flexibility of S. iniae, able to survive in both fresh and marine waters and the ability of the pathogen to infect multiple host species. By contrast, the second epizootic was associated with a distinct ST of cosmopolitan distribution that may have emerged as a result of environment disturbance. This novel tool will be effective at investigating recurrent epizootics occurring within a given environment or country that is despite the fact that S. iniae appears to have low genetic diversity within its lineage.

Niche-related processes (e.g., density or niche-breadth compensation and competition) are fundamental to a broad understanding of community ecology and ecosystem functioning. Most evidences of competition are from controlled indoor trials with few species, and it remains a challenge to estimate competition among multiple species in the field. Here, we analyze stable isotopes and distributional data from 51 fish taxa in six locations in the southwestern Atlantic to predict intraspecific trophic pressure (ITP) and the potential competitive strength among species in a trophic-based framework. We used two proxies built upon 2-dimensional isotopic space (δ13C vs. δ15N), its predicted overlap, and fish density to calculate winner and loser taxa in potential paired interspecific competitive interactions. The intraspecific proxy indicated that cryptobenthic fishes are under high among-individual trophic pressure (high densities and small niche sizes). Also, cryptobenthic behavior together with feeding specialization and extremely small-sizes were the most important traits related to low success in interspecific simulations. Although cryptobenthic fishes face strong competitive pressures, there are some known inherent trade-offs to cryptobenthic life such as trophic and habitat use specializations. These seem to compensate and ensure coexistence among cryptobenthic fishes and non-cryptobenthic species. Habitat loss/degradation via urbanization, invasive species and climate-change-driven sea-level rise can reduce the suitability of habitat and increase competition on cryptobenthic species, especially in shallow reefs and intertidal shores.

Artificial reefs may enhance the biological production of reef-associated flora and fauna, but their trophic structure relative to that of natural reefs remains understudied. We assessed trophic relationships by 1) comparing reef fish communities and 2) comparing δ13C and δ15N in 43 fish species from both artificial reef sites and adjacent natural reef tracts in Broward County, Florida. We tested the effect of sampling location (artificial, first, and second reef), general feeding strategy (herbivore, omnivore, invertivore, and carnivore), phylogeny, and standard length on δ13C and δ15N. The reef fish communities of the artificial and natural reef tracts were significantly different; the artificial sites also exhibited more variability. For all samples, δ13C and δ15N ranged from -19.5 to -13.1‰ and 6.7–13.3‰, respectively. Significant effects were detected for both general feeding strategy and phylogeny. Significant differences were also seen in δ13C and δ15N profiles between artificial and natural reefs; however, these changes were primarily driven by differences in fish community structure, rather than by changes in the feeding strategy or trophic relationships of individual fish taxa. The trophic guild invertivore was the only group of fish to demonstrate significant isotopic differences between both reef tracts (inner and outer) and reef types (artificial and natural). The artificial reef may act more as a foraging corridor between the natural first and second reef tracts for omnivores and carnivores. If the function of artificial reefs is to provide additional foraging habitat for fishes, then perhaps more time is needed for the trophically important, infaunal invertebrate community to develop similarly to the natural reef environment., Reef fish, Stable isotopes, Artificial reef, Trophic dynamics

This research aimed to study the types and abundance of fish which was found in branched and table coral habitat. The quadrate transect method was used at the location of the habitat of branched and table corals. The observation was carried out for 3 days. It was conducted 3 times/day, in the morning, the afternoon, and the evening with ± 10 minutes of observation time for each observation. The method used was transect quadrat 5 m x 5 m with direct observation techniques by means of snorkeling. The types and numbers of individual fish were recorded using the visual census method. Snorkeling was done straightforwardly and looking around by following the contour of the reef. In branching coral habitat, 11 species of fish were found with a total of 66 individuals. On the other hand, on the tabulate reef habitat, there were 9 species of fish with a total of 50 individuals. Both habitats have different types of fish. In the branched coral habitats there were more individual than in the table reef habitats. Fish species found in branched coral habitat and table type fish habitat were different. In branched coral habitats were found more reef fish species than in table coral habitats. These results illustrated that the condition of the coral reefs at Tanjung Beach is still in good condition.

The ability to discriminate familiar from unfamiliar conspecifics has been demonstrated in several species of fish. Agonistic interactions are among the most frequent behaviors exhibited by territorial species and could offer useful information for the individual recognition process. In agonistic situations, memory may modulate the behavioral response and affect social dynamics, but few studies have explored the memory retention acquired during aggressive encounters. The present study investigated the memory retention of an agonistic encounter in the dusky damselfish Stegastes fuscus. The experimental procedure was divided into three parts: (1) Familiarization; (2) Recognition test; and (3) Memory test. During the familiarization phase, the fish were visually exposed to the same conspecific for 5 days (10 min per day) and the behavior was recorded. On the following day (conspecific recognition test), half of the animals were paired with the same conspecific and the other half with a different conspecific for 10 min, and the behavior was recorded. The fish were retested 5, 10, and 15 days after the test to evaluate memory retention. In the memory test, they were exposed to the same conspecific as before or to a different conspecific. We found that the damselfish reduced their agonistic displays when the stimulus fish was familiar, but when it was unfamiliar, the animals were more aggressive and only reduced their mnemonic response after 10 days. These results suggest that the recognition ability of damselfish can be affected by time and that it modulates agonistic response.

Reduction in the impact of human-induced factors is capable of enhancing the environmental health. In view of COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns were imposed in India. Travel, fishing, tourism and religious activities were halted, while domestic and industrial activities were restricted. Comparison of the pre- and post-lockdown data shows that water parameters such as turbidity, nutrient concentration and microbial levels have come down from pre- to post-lockdown period, and parameters such as dissolved oxygen levels, phytoplankton and fish densities have improved. The concentration of macroplastics has also dropped from the range of 138±4.12 and 616±12.48 items/100m2 to 63±3.92 and 347±8.06 items/100m2. Fish density in the reef areas has increased from 406 no. 250 m-2 to 510 no.250 m-2. The study allows an insight into the benefits of effective enforcement of various eco-protection regulations and proper management of the marine ecosystems to revive their health for biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization., Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image

Pseudanthias hangapikosp. nov. (Teleostei, Serranidae, Anthiadinae) is herein described from three specimens collected from a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem off Hanga Piko, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile. Pseudanthias hangapikosp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in live coloration and by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays X, 17; anal-fin rays III, 8; pectoral-fin rays 16 (left side of one specimen 17); vertebrae 10+16; scales relatively large, two scales above lateral-line to base of fifth dorsal spine, and 16–17 circumpeduncular scales; gill rakers 11+23; and a slender body, with greatest body depth 3.6 (3.4–3.8) in SL. The most similar DNA barcodes (mitochondrial COI gene) are from Pseudanthias ventralis Randall, 1979 and Pseudanthias hawaiiensis Randall, 1979, with 16.8% and 17.0% uncorrected divergence, respectively. This fish is one of four new species that were documented from a pair of technical dives at a single location in Rapa Nui, emphasizing the high number of undescribed species likely still unknown in mesophotic coral ecosystems, especially in geographically remote locations. Pseudanthias hangapikosp. nov. adds to the Rapa Nui ichthyofauna, which hosts the second-highest level of endemism in both shallow and deep-water fishes.

Zooplanktivorous fishes are an essential trophic link transferring planktonic production to coastal ecosystems. Reef-associated or pelagic, their fast growth and high abundance are also crucial to supporting fisheries. I examined environmental drivers of their distribution across three levels of scale. Analysis of a decade of citizen science data off eastern Australia revealed that the proportion of community biomass for zooplanktivorous fishes peaked around the transition from sub-tropical to temperate latitudes, while the proportion of herbivores declined. This transition was attributed to high sub-tropical benthic productivity and low temperate planktonic productivity in winter. As temperatures declined in autumn, zooplanktivores migrated away from reefs, likely seeking warmer waters offshore. This was supported in a related bioacoustics survey around Montague Island, southern NSW, which showed the coast-to-shelf distribution of pelagic zooplanktivores in early spring was closely correlated with temperature, with schools seeking warmer waters of the East Australian Current at the shelf edge. Some zooplanktivores may select warm water to improve physiological performance and may also avoid shallow coastal areas, where vertically constrained distribution increases predation risk. To examine spatiotemporal dynamics of zooplanktivores around coastal reefs a non-scientific portable multibeam echosounder was deployed. As calibration of such instruments is impracticable, I assessed a novel metric of school thickness, delineating the spatial boundaries of schools rather than quantifying backscatter. These methods were applied to study school distribution around natural and artificial reefs, and variability attributed to current exposure and time of day. Schools regularly distributed upstream of structure, as fish competed for access to un-grazed prey. Schools blanketed the seafloor at night and rose high in the water column during the day to feed, particularly around high vertical relief artificial structures. These observations can inform the design of artificial reefs to include high vertical relief to facilitate foraging in the water column. These findings also agree with observations of dense schools associated with offshore oil and gas infrastructure and provide support for leave-in-place decommissioning. These distribution patterns have important implications for fisheries and for the predators which depend on regular and predictable access to prey.

Surgeonfishes of the family Acanthuridae are primarily large-bodied herbivores that provide critical ecosystem services to coral reefs. Five out of the six genera that comprise the family have had mitochondrial genomes sequenced, with the exception of the genus Prionurus. Here, for the first time, we assemble and annotate the mitochondrial genomes of two sawtail surgeonfishes. The circular genomes of P. biafraensis and P. laticlavius are 16,552 bp and 16,531 bp in length, respectively, and contain 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region. Gene arrangement and codon usage were similar to reported mitochondrial genomes of other surgeonfish genera, and a phylogenetic analysis of protein-coding genes recovers a topology for Acanthuridae that is consistent with nuclear analyses.

AIM: The ‘abundant centre’ hypothesis states that species are more abundant at the centre of their range. However, several recent large‐scale studies have failed to find evidence for such a pattern. Here we used extensive global data of reef fishes to test the ‘abundant centre’ pattern, and to examine variation in the abundance patterns across species using life history and ecological traits. LOCATION: Marine habitat at a global extent: from Indo‐Pacific to Atlantic reefs. METHODS: We used underwater visual estimates of fish abundance, containing 22,963 transects and 1,215 species. For each species we calculated the slope between abundance and distance to the range centre, with the range centre estimated using four different methods. We tested whether abundance patterns differ between the range core and margins using segmented regression. Meta‐analytic methods were used to synthesize results across species, and to test whether species traits can explain variation in the fit to the pattern among species. RESULTS: The method used to define the range centre had a large effect on the results. Nevertheless, in all cases we found large variation between species. Results of the segmented regression revealed that changes in abundance across the range core are very small and that steep declines in abundance happen only towards the range margins. Body size and mean abundance were the main traits affecting the fit to the pattern across species. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: We find large variation across species in the fit to the abundance centre pattern. Nevertheless, we do find support for a general pattern of a range core with high, but variable, abundance and steep decline in abundance towards the range periphery. Thus, species do tend to be rare at the range margins, making them sensitive to extirpation due to both natural and anthropogenic impacts.

This study evaluates the swimming behaviour of pre-settled fish larvae of the triplefin Helcogrammoides chil­ensis (Tripterygiidae) in relation to local environmental conditions. Larval aggregations were recorded on rocky reefs off central Chile during the austral summer of 2014 and 2016 to describe their swimming behaviour (i.e. solitary, shoaling, schooling) and relate it to in situ water temperature, wind stress, wind speed and turbulence. Shoaling and solitary behaviour were influenced only by wind-induced turbulence in 2014 and by seawater temperature and wind stress in 2016. Schooling behaviour was not influenced by any of the environmental variables. In situ swimming behaviour of fish larvae has been little investigated, and this work proposes a non-invasive in situ methodology for studying fish larval behaviour., Este estudio evalúa el comportamiento natatorio de larvas pre-asentadas del trombollito de tres aletas Helcogram­moides chilensis (Tripterygiidae) en relación con las condiciones ambientales locales. Para describir su comportamiento natatorio (i.e. solitario, agregación y cardumen) los grupos de larvas fueron grabadas en video en el intermareal rocoso en Chile central, durante el verano austral de 2014 y 2016. Luego, estas conductas fueron relacionadas con la temperatura del agua de mar in situ, estrés y velocidad del viento y turbulencia. Los comportamientos solitarios y agregados fueron afectados solamente por la turbulencia inducida por el viento en el 2014, y por la temperatura del agua de mar y estrés del viento en 2016. El comportamiento de cardumen no fue influido por ninguna variable ambiental. El comportamiento natatorio in situ de larvas de peces ha sido escasamente estudiado, por lo tanto, este trabajo propone una metodología no invasiva in situ para estudiar el comportamiento de las larvas de peces.

RESUMEN Pareques acuminatus (familia Sciaenidae) es una especie carnívora de tamaño pequeño, que se distribuye en el Atlántico occidental entre Carolina del Norte y Bermudas hasta Brasil. Los estudios sobre la biología y ecología de P. acuminatus son escasos y en Colombia no se han realizados trabajos concernientes a la especie. El propósito de este estudio fue conocer aspectos de reproducción, morfología y ecología con el fin de ampliar su conocimiento en el Caribe colombiano. Entre 2017 y 2018 se realizaron capturas en cinco localidades por medio de buceo libre y se realizaron censos visuales del hábitat donde fue observada. Se evaluó la morfometría y merística, se identificaron las fases reproductivas y se estimó la fecundidad parcial mediante el método gravimétrico. Un total de 85 individuos fueron recolectados con una LT entre 33 y 185 mm (123,7±36,3 mm) siendo más frecuentes aquellos entre 121-142 mm (42 %) seguidos de los de 143-164 mm (20 %). Se distinguieron 39 hembras, 34 machos y 12 juveniles indeterminados debido a su pequeño tamaño. La talla de las hembras maduras fue a partir de una LT de 118 mm, siendo una especie asincrónica con dos fases reproductivas (en desarrollo y con capacidad de desove). La fecundidad parcial estimada fue de 8744 ± 3900 oocitos y la fecundidad relativa con relación a la talla fue de 64,15 ± 25,51 oocitos/mm, con un diámetro de 0,53 ± 0,04 mm. Pareques acuminatus es una especie típica de hábitats arrecifales someros y se encontró en conjunto con Myripristis jacobus, Canthigaster rostrata, Haemulon steindachneri, H. flavolineatum, Stegastes partitus y Chromis multilineata, que fueron las especies comunes en todas las localidades. ABSTRACT The highhat, Pareques acuminatus, is a carnivorous, small sized species, with distribution in the western Atlantic from North Carolina and Bermuda to Brazil. Studies on the biology and ecology of P. acuminatus are scarce and in Colombia no work has been done concerning this specie. For this reason, this study focused on knowing the biology of this sciaenid and determining ecological aspects in order to expand its knowledge in the Colombian Caribbean. Captures of the highhat were made by free diving between 2017 and 2018 and visual fish censuses were taken on the habitat where it was observed between 2017 and 2018. The morphometrics and meristics were taken, the reproductive phases identified, and the partial fecundity estimated by the gravimetric method. A total of 85 individuals were collected with a TL between 33 and 185 mm (123.7 ± 36.3 mm) with individuals between 121-142 mm (42 %) as the more frequent, followed by 143-164 mm (20 %). There were 39 females, 34 males and 12 indeterminate juvenile specimens. Females reach mature state with 118 mm TL, being an asynchronous species, with two reproductive phases (phase in development and phase capable of spawning). The estimated partial fecundity was 8744 ± 3900 oocytes, and the relative fecundity in relation to size was 64.15 ± 25.51 oocitos/mm with a diameter of 0.53 ± 0.04 mm. The highhat is a typical specie of shallow reef habitats, and was found mainly accompanied by Myripristis jacobus, Canthigaster rostrata, Haemulon steindachneri, H. flavolineatum, Stegastes partitus and Chromis multilineata between 2017 and 2018.

In many mutualisms, benefits in the form of food are exchanged for services such as transport or protection. In the marine cleaning mutualism, a variety of “client” reef fishes offer “cleaner” fish Labroides dimidiatus access to food in the form of their ectoparasites, where parasite removal supposedly protects the clients. Yet, the health benefits individual clients obtain on the long-term from repeated ectoparasite removal remain relatively unknown. Here, we tested whether long-term reduced access to cleaning services alter indicators of health status such as body condition, immunity and the steroids cortisol and testosterone in four client damselfish species Pomacentrus amboinensis, Amblyglyphidodon curacao, Acanthochromis polyacanthus, and Dischistodus perspicillatus. To do so, we took advantage of a long-term experimental project in which several small reefs around Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef, Australia) were maintained cleaner-free since the year 2000; while control reefs had their cleaner presence continuously monitored. We found that the four damselfish species from reef sites without cleaners for 13 years had lower body condition than fish from reefs with cleaners. However, immunity measurements and cortisol and testosterone levels did not differ between experimental groups. Our findings suggest that clients use the energetic benefits derived from long-term access to cleaning services to selectively increase body condition, rather than altering hormonal or immune system functions.

Two new species of Plectranthias perchlets are described, collected from mesophotic coral ecosystems in French Polynesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the tropical Central Pacific. Plectranthias polygoniussp. nov. was collected at a depth of 105 m in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and 120 m in Maloelap Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. It was also observed in Moorea and Rangiroa (French Polynesia), and at Majuro and Erikub Atolls, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Plectranthias hinanosp. nov. was collected at a depth of 90–98 m in Tahiti, French Polynesia, and observed in Moorea. The barcode fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I gene of Plectranthias polygoniussp. nov. does not closely match any published sequence of Plectranthias, with approximately 15% uncorrected divergence from several species. Plectranthias polygoniussp. nov. can be distinguished from all of its congeners by coloration and morphology. The barcode fragment of the COI gene of Plectranthias hinanosp. nov. is closest to Plectranthias bennetti, with 5.4% uncorrected divergence. Plectranthias hinanosp. nov. is also distinguished from all of its congeners by morphology, and a coloration that includes two indistinct black spots along the base of the dorsal-fin, and transparent yellow dorsal and anal fin membranes. With this publication, the genus Plectranthias now comprises 58 valid species, with representatives from tropical to temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. These two new discoveries add to the growing body of research highlighting the rich biodiversity of mesophotic ecosystems.

Oceanic islands and seamounts play an important role on the origin and maintenance of biodiversity, however, these environments are still poorly understood. Here we report 15 new records of reef fish species for the Davis Seamount, Trindade Island and Martin Vaz Archipelago, in the Vitoria-Trindade Chain (VTC). Such isolated sites are among the last frontier for shallow reef exploration in the South Atlantic, and more scientific effort is needed to better understand their biogeography and to help in conservation efforts.

Over the last few decades, the tourism industry in the Maldives has experienced exponential growth. This rise in tourism has created a new demand for reef fish and anecdotal reports indicate that exploitation of reef fish is increasing; however, currently, there is little monitoring of the reef fish fishery. This project integrated fish biomass data from underwater visual fish surveys with locations of resorts to examine correlations between fish populations and tourism development. Maps of human presence throughout the archipelago were used to classify surveyed reefs as community, resort or uninhabited. Spatial statistics and regression analysis suggest that distance to a resort has no significant impact on the amount of fish biomass found at nearby reefs. However, the breakdown of biomass by trophic level show an absence of apex predators across all sites, which likely indicates fishing pressure and resource exploitation of large-bodied species readily caught through hook and line fisheries. Additionally, a high level of herbivore biomass across all sites could be playing an important role in reef recovery. As the fishery develops and reef fish demand grows, the Maldives will need to create a management plan that allows for the recovery of apex predators, as well as protects the abundance of herbivores.

Approaches towards habitat conservation and restoration often include supplementing or enhancing existing, degraded, or lost natural habitats. In aquatic environments, a popular approach towards habitat enhancement is the introduction of underwater human-made structures or artificial reefs. Despite the nearly global prevalence of artificial reefs deployed to enhance habitat, it remains debated whether these structures function similarly to comparable natural reefs. To help resolve this question, we conducted a literature review and accompanying meta-analysis of fish community metrics on artificial reefs within the coastal ocean and made comparisons with naturally-occurring reference reefs (rocky reefs and coral reefs). Our findings from a synthesis of 39 relevant studies revealed that, across reef ecosystems, artificial reefs support comparable levels of fish density, biomass, species richness, and diversity to natural reefs. Additional analyses demonstrated that nuances in these patterns were associated with the geographic setting (ocean basin, latitude zone) and artificial reef material. These findings suggest that, while artificial reefs can mimic natural reefs in terms of the fish assemblages they support, artificial reefs are not one-size-fits-all tools for habitat enhancement. Instead, artificial reefs should be considered strategically based on location-specific scientific assessments and resource needs to maximize benefits of habitat enhancement.

Among the four butterflyfishes of the genus Chaetodon present in the western Atlantic, the banded butterflyfish Chaetodon striatus has the largest distribution range, spanning 44 degrees of latitude (from Massachusetts, USA to Santa Catarina, Brazil). Although the ecology of the banded butterflyfish has been well studied over its entire range, nothing is known about its phylogeography and how biogeographic barriers structure its populations. To assess the level of genetic connectivity among populations from distinct biogeographic provinces and environmental conditions, we collected samples from seven localities: Puerto Rico, in the Caribbean, and Tamandaré, Salvador, Abrolhos, Trindade Island, Arraial do Cabo and Florianópolis, in Brazil. One nuclear (rag 2) and two mitochondrial (control region and cyt b) molecular markers were sequenced. Our findings are consistent with a recent population expansion, around 30-120 thousand years ago, which was found for all populations. Haplotype network analyses point to the Caribbean as a refugium before the population expansion. Results show no geographic pattern of genetic diversity. Indeed, a lack of population structure was found and no isolation was observed across oceanographic barriers, as well as between coral and rocky reef ecosystems. Furthermore, no directionality in the migration pattern was found among populations. Since ecological and environmental characteristics are very diverse across such a vast geographic range, the lack of genetic differentiation suggests that C. striatus evolved ecological plasticity rather than local adaptation in the western Atlantic. RESUMO O peixe-borboleta listrado, Chaetodon striatus, possui a maior distribuição geográfica dentre as quatro espécies de peixes-borboleta do gênero Chaetodon presentes no Oceano Atlântico Ocidental, abrangendo 44° de latitude (entre Massachusetts, EUA até o sul do Brasil). A ecologia alimentar desta espécie é bastante conhecida, considerando a ampla distribuição, porém, pouco se sabe sobre a filogeografia e como as barreiras biogeográficas estruturam as populações. Para acessar a conectividade genética entre as populações de diferentes províncias biogeográficas e diferentes condições ambientais, foram coletadas amostras de sete localidades: Porto Rico, no Caribe, e Tamandaré, Salvador, Abrolhos, Ilha da Trindade, Arraial do Cabo e Florianópolis, no Brasil. Foram sequenciados um gene nuclear (rag 2) e dois genes mitocondriais (região controle e cit B). Para todas as populações, foi identificada uma expansão populacional recente, em torno de 30-120 mil anos atrás. A análise de rede de haplótipos sugere que o Caribe serviu como refúgio antes desta expansão populacional. Os resultados indicam que não há padrão geográfico de diversidade genética. Apesar da existência de barreiras oceanográficas e diferenças na constituição dos recifes (rochosos e coralíneos), não foi encontrada estruturação populacional. Também, não encontramos padrão na direção de migração entre as populações. Os resultados sugerem que C. striatus apresenta plasticidade ecológica, uma vez que não há diferenciação genética entre as populações que habitam ecossistemas tão diferentes ao longo da ampla distribuição no Atlântico Ocidental.

Offshore natural banks in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) are unique model systems for examining the mechanisms structuring reef fish communities due to their substantial geographic isolation, and the presence of replicate experimental units of both low (mid-shelf) and high coral diversity (shelf-edge) reef habitats. Here, we examined the species assemblage structure of juvenile and adult fishes at two mid-shelf reefs (Sonnier and Stetson Bank) and two shelf-edge reefs (East and West Flower Garden Banks) in the northwestern GOM to evaluate the relative importance of habitat (i.e. coral diversity) vs. recruitment in structuring resident fish assemblages. Visual reef fish surveys (n = 400) were conducted at the four coral reefs during two seasons, spring-early summer and late summer-fall in 2009 and 2010. Two depth zones were surveyed at each reef, representing the reef crest (15-23 m depth) and upper slope (23-30 m depth) habitats. Seasonal variability in recruitment to both mid-shelf and shelf-edge reefs was observed, with higher mean juvenile density and diversity (Hʹ) observed during the late season at all reefs in 2009 and all but Stetson in 2010, supporting an early fall recruitment peak. Likewise, considerable inter-annual variability in juvenile recruitment was observed, with significantly lower juvenile density and Hʹ observed at mid-shelf reefs in 2010 relative to 2009. Species diversity was strongly linked to coral diversity, with greater reef fish diversity consistently observed at shelf-edge relative to mid-shelf reefs. Observed differences in the composition of juvenile and adult assemblages at mid-shelf reefs suggest that reef fish communities at these reefs were more strongly influenced by post-settlement processes (e.g. juvenile mortality) than shelf-edge reefs, which may be a function of several limiting factors (e.g., predation, coral diversity, water quality). Results indicate that reef fish assemblages associated with mid-shelf and shelf-edge reefs in the northwestern GOM have sufficient stabilizing mechanisms in place to facilitate recovery from anomalous recruitment events and maintain consistent resident assemblages. The strong, reef type-specific differences in assemblage composition observed throughout the study indicate that mid-shelf and shelf-edge coral reef habitats may fill different functional roles for demersal fishes in the northwestern GOM.

A new species of jawfish,Opistognathusthionyisp. n., is described from the Vitória-Trindade Chain and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago off Brazil, a disjunct distribution of ca. 1,800 km.Opistognathusthionyiand its allopatric Caribbean sister-species,Opistognathusmaxillosus, both have a wide, fan-like upper margin of the subopercular flap and mostly over-lapping meristic data. The new species differs fromO.maxillosusin having the darkest spot on the spinous dorsal fin, when present, between spines 2–5, versus always present between spines 6–9, the buccal area surrounding the esophageal opening pale versus very dark and fewer oblique scale rows in longitudinal series (45–52 vs. 69–85). A second new species,Opistognathusvicinussp. n., known from Brazil’s mainland, has completely over-lapping meristic values with its allopatric Caribbean sister-speciesO.whitehursti, but differs in lacking vomerine teeth and a supramaxilla and retaining the juvenile color pattern of the latter species in adults. Diagnoses, photographs, an identification key, and distributional maps are given for all Brazilian species ofOpistognathus.Molecular phylogenetic analysis of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit-I sequences indicates that specimens of the two allopatric pairs,O.thionyi–O.maxillosusandO.vicinus–O.whitehursti, form reciprocally monophyletic groups that differ from each other on average by 9 to 11%, with less than 1% average pair-wise genetic distance within-species. Similar patterns of phylogenetic structure were observed between reciprocally monophyletic (predominately allopatric) groups within nominal species ofOpistognathusaurifrons, suggesting the possibility of at least two additional undescribed species from the Brazilian Province.

Recent studies reported the introduction of non-native species on the Brazilian coast. In this contribution, we provide the first record of Cephalopholis taeniops (Valenciennes 1828) in the western South Atlantic, based on a specimen captured off the Ilhas Cagarras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and discuss the potential agents for its introduction. While this single specimen was collected in 2006 in a well-known locality, no other specimen has been captured since.

A new species of the perchlet genus Plectranthias is herein described from a single specimen found at Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the South Pacific. Plectranthiasahiahiata sp. n. was collected at a depth of 83 m in a mesophotic coral ecosystem at Rapa Nui. The main difference between Plectranthiasahiahiata and other members of the genus is higher fin-ray counts (X, 18 dorsal; 18 pectoral) and its distinctive coloration. Compared to the three other known eastern South Pacific species, P.ahiahiata has more dorsal-fin rays, more pectoral-fin rays, fewer tubed lateral-line scales, fewer gill rakers, a longer head relative to SL, a very short first dorsal spine relative to SL, and a short third anal spine relative to SL. Plectranthiasahiahiata is distinguished from western Pacific species, by having more dorsal- and pectoral-fin rays. The closest relative based on genetic divergence (with 12.3% uncorrected divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene) is Plectranthiaswinniensis, a widely distributed species, suggesting important links between Rapa Nui and western Pacific islands. This new species adds to the high endemism of the Rapa Nui ichthyofauna, and is further evidence of the importance of mesophotic reefs as unique communities.

Lelloltery H, Pudyatmoko S, Fandelli C, Baiquni M. 2018. Study of coral reef for marine ecotourism development based on region suitability and carrying capacity in Marsegu Island Nature Tourism Park, Maluku, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 1089-1096. The objectives of the research were to identify the potential of marine natural resources as the object and attraction of marine ecotourism, and to compile the development plan at Marsegu Island Nature Tourism Park (NTP) based on the Tourism Suitability Index (TSI) and carrying capacity. Data collection included coral reef and fish type using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method. Data were analyzed using the tourism suitability index and analysis of physical carrying capacity of the area. The results showed the potential of marine resources covering the coral reefs including 45 species within 23 genera from 14 families with 12 coral lifeforms. A high diversity of reef fish was found, documenting 129 species of fish within 60 genera from 22 families. The analysis result of the tourism suitability index (TSI) in the snorkeling category was 74.79% with a carrying capacity of 4,092 person(s)/day and the TSI of diving was 67.32% with a physical carrying capacity of 1,855 person(s)/day. The analysis showed that the area around Marsegu Island NTP is "suitable" for ecotourism activities and does not exceed the carrying capacity of the area. The strategy for marine ecotourism management needs to be completed, including elements such as determining the number of tourists that can be supported per day (based on limiting the number of divers/snorkelers per day), implementing boat moorings so coral is not damaged by anchors, making sure tourism operators brief divers/snorkelers not to touch, stand on or break the coral, and ensuring the tour operator is the organization responsible for the continuous monitoring of marine ecotourism activities and protection of dive sites.

The reef flat is one of the largest and most distinctive habitats on coral reefs, yet its role in reef trophodynamics is poorly understood. Evolutionary evidence suggests that reef flat colonization by grazing fishes was a major innovation that permitted the exploitation of new space and trophic resources. However, the reef flat is hydrodynamically challenging, subject to high predation risks and covered with sediments that inhibit feeding by grazers. To explore these opposing influences, we examine the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) as a model system. We focus on grazing herbivores that directly access algal primary productivity in the epilithic algal matrix (EAM). By assessing abundance, biomass, and potential fish productivity, we explore the potential of the reef flat to support key ecosystem processes and its ability to maintain fisheries yields. On the GBR, the reef flat is, by far, the most important habitat for turf‐grazing fishes, supporting an estimated 79% of individuals and 58% of the total biomass of grazing surgeonfishes, parrotfishes, and rabbitfishes. Approximately 59% of all (reef‐wide) turf algal productivity is removed by reef flat grazers. The flat also supports approximately 75% of all grazer biomass growth. Our results highlight the evolutionary and ecological benefits of occupying shallow‐water habitats (permitting a ninefold population increase). The acquisition of key locomotor and feeding traits has enabled fishes to access the trophic benefits of the reef flat, outweighing the costs imposed by water movement, predation, and sediments. Benthic assemblages on reefs in the future may increasingly resemble those seen on reef flats today, with low coral cover, limited topographic complexity, and extensive EAM. Reef flat grazing fishes may therefore play an increasingly important role in key ecosystem processes and in sustaining future fisheries yields.

In the present paper, we document a recent record of the Bannerfish, Heniochus acuminatus, an Indo-Pacific species, in the southwest Atlantic Ocean and comment on biological aspects of the Azores Chromis, Chromis limbata, an invasive reef fish in the western Atlantic Ocean. We suggest that investigations of invasive species along the Brazilian coast can use data provided by citizen science, strengthening the non-native reef fish control strategies.