Record Details

Density-dependent predation of coral larvae by planktivorous reef fish following spawning events

CSIRO RDS Repository

View Archive Info
 
 
Field Value
 
Title Density-dependent predation of coral larvae by planktivorous reef fish following spawning events
 
Creator Elizabeth Buccheri
 
Subject Conservation and biodiversity
Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology)
 
Description This dataset contains information about the feeding behaviours of a common reef dwelling planktivore (Chromis spp.) when exposed to coral larvae. Trials were conducted on Heron Island in 2021 and 2022 with Chromis atripectoralis and Chromis viridis, and A. cf. nasuta and A. cf. spathulata coral larvae.
Fish were exposed to different densities of coral larvae (1, 3, 5 per treatment) and were given these larvae with and without their normal plankton diet (i.e. copepods). Trials in 2021 consisted of two fish densities (1 fish and 5 fish), but trials in 2022 were only run with 5 fish per treatment group to replicate the smaller sized schools that may be found in a given reef environment.
Experiments were conducted in closed system tanks with black film around all but one side to create contrast and optimise visualisation of predator/prey interactions. Larvae (and plankton) were pipetted into each tank in randomised orders and locations to minimise biases of the results due to potential learned behaviours by the fish. GoPro videos were also taken to document fish interactions and consumption tendencies.

Access:
Metadata is fully public. Data files will be made fully public once the research has been published.
For special requests, please directly contact the Data Custodian and CC the Project Leader.
 
Publisher CSIRO
 
Contributor Christopher Doropoulos
Peter Mumby
 
Date 2023-08-29
 
Type —
 
Format —
 
Identifier csiro:60090
 
Language —
 
Coverage —
 
Rights —