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Damselfish as keystone species in reverse: intermediate disturbance and diversity of reef algae.
- Source :
-
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] 1983 Apr 29; Vol. 220 (4596), pp. 511-3. - Publication Year :
- 1983
-
Abstract
- Substrates located within the defended territories of Hawaiian damselfish for 1 year were subjected to intermediate grazing intensity and, as a result, showed greater diversity of algae than substrates either protected within fish-exclusion cages or exposed to intense fish grazing outside territories. Thus, this damselfish enhances local diversity on reefs through "intermediate-disturbance" effects, and is a keystone species that decreases rather than increases overall predation intensity relative to areas where it is absent.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0036-8075
- Volume :
- 220
- Issue :
- 4596
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Science (New York, N.Y.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 17816223
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.220.4596.511