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Thompson C, Silva R, Gibran FZ, Bacha L, de Freitas MAM, Thompson M, Landuci F, Tschoeke D, Zhang XH, Wang X, Zhao W, Gatts PV, de Almeida MG, de Rezende CE, Thompson F. The Abrolhos Nominally Herbivorous Coral Reef Fish Acanthurus chirurgus, Kyphosus sp., Scarus trispinosus, and Sparisoma axillare Have Similarities in Feeding But Species-Specific Microbiomes. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2024; 87:110. [PMID: 39215820 PMCID: PMC11365853 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02423-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Coral reefs rely heavily on reef fish for their health, yet overfishing has resulted in their decline, leading to an increase in fast-growing algae and changes in reef ecosystems, a phenomenon described as the phase-shift. A clearer understanding of the intricate interplay between herbivorous, their food, and their gut microbiomes could enhance reef health. This study examines the gut microbiome and isotopic markers (δ13C and δ15N) of four key nominally herbivorous reef fish species (Acanthurus chirurgus, Kyphosus sp., Scarus trispinosus, and Sparisoma axillare) in the Southwestern Atlantic's Abrolhos Reef systems. Approximately 16.8 million 16S rRNA sequences were produced for the four fish species, with an average of 317,047 ± 57,007 per species. Bacteria such as Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Cyanobacteria were prevalent in their microbiomes. These fish show unique microbiomes that result from co-diversification, diet, and restricted movement. Coral-associated bacteria (Endozoicomonas, Rhizobia, and Ruegeria) were found in abundance in the gut contents of the parrotfish species Sc. trispinosus and Sp. axillare. These parrotfishes could aid coral health by disseminating such beneficial bacteria across the reef. Meanwhile, Kyphosus sp. predominantly had Pirellulaceae and Rhodobacteraceae. Four fish species had a diet composed of turf components (filamentous Cyanobacteria) and brown algae (Dictyopteris). They also had similar isotopic niches, suggesting they shared food sources. A significant difference was observed between the isotopic signature of fish muscular gut tissue and gut contents, pointing to the role that host genetics and gut microbes play in differentiating fish tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Thompson
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Sala 102, Bloco A, CCS/IB/BIOMAR, Lab. de Microbiologia, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-599, Brazil.
| | - Raphael Silva
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Sala 102, Bloco A, CCS/IB/BIOMAR, Lab. de Microbiologia, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-599, Brazil
| | - Fernando Z Gibran
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH), Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo Do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Bacha
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Sala 102, Bloco A, CCS/IB/BIOMAR, Lab. de Microbiologia, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-599, Brazil
| | - Mayanne A M de Freitas
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Sala 102, Bloco A, CCS/IB/BIOMAR, Lab. de Microbiologia, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-599, Brazil
| | - Mateus Thompson
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Sala 102, Bloco A, CCS/IB/BIOMAR, Lab. de Microbiologia, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-599, Brazil
| | - Felipe Landuci
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Sala 102, Bloco A, CCS/IB/BIOMAR, Lab. de Microbiologia, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-599, Brazil
| | - Diogo Tschoeke
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Sala 102, Bloco A, CCS/IB/BIOMAR, Lab. de Microbiologia, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-599, Brazil
- Biomedical Engineer Program, COPPE, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Xiao-Hua Zhang
- Microbial Oceanography Lab, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- Microbial Oceanography Lab, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenbin Zhao
- Microbial Oceanography Lab, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Pedro Vianna Gatts
- Laboratory of Environmental Sciences (LCA), Center of Biosciences and Biotechnology (CBB), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos Dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gomes de Almeida
- Laboratory of Environmental Sciences (LCA), Center of Biosciences and Biotechnology (CBB), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos Dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo de Rezende
- Laboratory of Environmental Sciences (LCA), Center of Biosciences and Biotechnology (CBB), Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Campos Dos Goytacazes, Brazil
| | - Fabiano Thompson
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 373, Sala 102, Bloco A, CCS/IB/BIOMAR, Lab. de Microbiologia, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-599, Brazil.
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Rivera Hernandez JM, Shervette VR. Puzzling parrotfishes: Radiocarbon age validation and updated longevity estimates for western Atlantic species in support of sustainable fisheries management. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302854. [PMID: 38722950 PMCID: PMC11081368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
For management efforts to succeed in Caribbean fisheries, local fishers must support and be willing to comply with fishing regulations. This is more likely when fishers are included in a stock assessment process that utilizes robust scientific evidence, collected in collaboration with fishers, to evaluate the health of fish stocks. Caribbean parrotfishes are important contributors to coral reef ecosystem health while also contributing to local fisheries. Scientifically robust stock assessments require regional species-specific information on age-based key life history parameters, derived from fish age estimates. Evaluation of the accuracy of age estimation methods for fish species is a critical initial step in managing species for long-term sustainable harvest. The current study resulted from a collaborative research program between fish biologists and local fishers investigating age, growth, and reproductive biology of the seven parrotfish species landed in U.S. Caribbean fisheries; specifically, we validated age estimation for stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma viride and queen parrotfish Scarus vetula. This is the first study to directly validate age estimation for any parrotfish species through analysis of Δ14C from eye lens cores. Our age estimation validation results show that enumeration of opaque zones from thin sections of sagittal otoliths for a Sparisoma and a Scarus species provides accurate age estimates. The oldest stoplight parrotfish and queen parrotfish in the Δ14C age estimation validation series were 14 y and 16 y; while the oldest stoplight parrotfish and queen parrotfish we aged to-date using the Δ14C validated age estimation method were 20 y and 21 y, respectively. Fish longevity (maximum age attained/life span) is a key life history parameter used for estimation of natural mortality, survivorship, and lifetime reproductive output. Past reviews on parrotfishes from the Pacific and Atlantic concluded that most Caribbean/western Atlantic parrotfish species are relatively short-lived with estimated maximum ages ranging from 3-9 y. However, information from our collaborative research in the U.S. Caribbean combined with recently published age estimates for Brazilian parrotfish species indicate that many western Atlantic parrotfishes are relatively long-lived with several species attaining maximum ages in excess of 20 y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus M. Rivera Hernandez
- Department of Biology and Geology, Fish/Fisheries Conservation Lab, University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
- University of South Carolina, Marine Sciences, Columbia, SC, United States of America
| | - Virginia R. Shervette
- Department of Biology and Geology, Fish/Fisheries Conservation Lab, University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC, United States of America
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Effectiveness of management zones for recovering parrotfish species within the largest coastal marine protected area in Brazil. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12232. [PMID: 35851599 PMCID: PMC9293920 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15990-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The establishment of multiple zones offering different protection levels within a Marine Protected Area (MPA) can minimize social conflicts while maintaining associated biodiversity benefits such as fish population replenishment. Parrotfishes are among one of the most ecologically important reef fishes; yet extremely overexploited worldwide. In this context, well-designed priority management areas allowing no fishing activity (no-take zones) could help recover fish species, such as parrotfishes, through a MPA zoning process. Here, we tested this hypothesis by identifying the spatial configuration of zones that maximize the recovery of endangered parrotfish species (Scarus trispinosus; Scarus zelindae; Sparisoma amplum; Sparisoma axillare; Sparisoma frondosum) at the largest MPA in Brazil protecting nearshore coral reefs (MPA Costa dos Corais). We used parrotfish distribution data to produce species distribution models (SDMs) and combined them with conservation planning tools to delineate priority zones following a systematic approach. Then, we contrasted priority zones against non-systematic, newly designed no-take zones based on managers' and stakeholders' perspectives. After mapping the predicted abundance of each species within both zones based upon field surveys, we found that priority zones were more effective than non-systematic ones for the protection of two out of the five species: Scarus trispinosus and Sparisoma amplum. Thus, we considered that designing systematic zones was particularly relevant for increased protection of the two parrotfish species facing the largest decline. The prioritization analyses also showed that priority areas for parrotfish conservation following a systematic approach were mostly located surrounding and within no-take zones delineated by local stakeholders. The spatial overlap between systematic and non-systematic zones was of 38%. Hence, our study reinforces the importance of considering scientific information and methods (e.g., spatial distribution data and prioritization analyses) as a complementary strategy along with local stakeholders' knowledge, for delineating and refining management zones within MPAs.
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Schmid K, Reis-Filho JA, Loiola M, Harvey ES, de Kikuchi RKP, Giarrizzo T. Habitat-specific fish fauna responses to different management regimes in the largest coral reef complex in the South Atlantic. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 178:105661. [PMID: 35661942 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
While marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasing worldwide, it is still needed to assess the effectiveness of those already consolidated. Methods and ecological assessments to understanding integrated and habitat-specific management regimes are still scarce and insufficient for policy implications and biodiversity conservation. Through Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV), we used fish assemblages as proxy of ecological and managerial status in two reef habitat types along three protection levels at Abrolhos Bank - the largest and most biodiverse coral reef complex of the South Atlantic. We found completely distinct responses in the fish fauna between the top (shallow) and bottom (deep) habitats of the unique "chapeirões" pinnacle reef formations. In the most protected zone (no-take), higher richness and abundance of commercial fish and more diverse trophic structure was observed. Particularly, large (sharks and groupers) and small carnivores (snappers) were more abundant and distributed more homogeneously over both reef habitats in the strictly enforced no-take zone. Abundance of these top-predators decreased from the low enforcement no-take zone to the multiple use area, where they were often absent while their typical preys (primary and secondary consumers) were thriving, notably in the top habitats. These outcomes highlight the importance to focus investigations not selectively on a single habitat type or depth zone in order to properly assess MPA effectiveness. Consequently, the monitoring and protection of fish species supported by marine spatial planning may benefit from an improved understanding of ecological functioning provided by MPA performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Schmid
- Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Grupo de Ecologia Aquática, Belém, Pará State, Brazil
| | - José Amorim Reis-Filho
- Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia aplicada a Gestão Ambiental, Bahia State, Brazil; ICHTUS Ambiente & Sociedade, 41830-600, Bahia State, Brazil.
| | - Miguel Loiola
- Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Bioinformatics and Microbial Ecology Laboratory (BIOME), Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Euan Sinclair Harvey
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ruy Kenji Papa de Kikuchi
- Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Department of Oceanography, Coral Reef and Global Climate Change Research Group, Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil
| | - Tommaso Giarrizzo
- Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), Grupo de Ecologia Aquática, Belém, Pará State, Brazil; Instituto de Ciências do Mar (LABOMAR), Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, Ceará State, Brazil
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Moore BR. Age-based life history of Pacific longnose parrotfish Hipposcarus longiceps from New Caledonia. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 100:997-1008. [PMID: 35099808 PMCID: PMC9311152 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Pacific longnose parrotfish, Hipposcarus longiceps, is a medium- to large-bodied scarine labrid that is among the most commonly harvested species in mixed reef fisheries across the Indo-Pacific. Despite its ecological and fisheries importance, assessments of stock status and development of appropriate management strategies for the species have been limited by an absence of biological information. To date, the only detailed studies of the biology of H. longiceps have occurred in tropical regions. This study examined the biology of H. longiceps in southern New Caledonia, towards the southernmost extent of the species' distribution. In addition, resulting estimates of longevity and asymptotic length were compared against those derived for the species elsewhere in the Pacific, and regional patterns in these parameters were explored for correlation with sea surface temperature (SST). A total of 212 H. longiceps were collected from commercial fishers or fish markets between September 2015 and March 2017. Sampled individuals ranged from 28.2 cm fork length (LF ) to 57.3 cm LF , and from 424 g to 3773 g. Examination of sectioned otoliths showed a clear pattern in increment formation, with opaque zones forming annually in most individuals between July and August (i.e., austral winter). Estimated longevities were similar between sexes, at ~18 years for females and ~19 years for males. These estimates extend the reported longevity of H. longiceps by at least 5 years. Despite this species being a diandric protogynous hermaphrodite, sex ratios were only slightly female biased, with 1 female:0.6 males. Primary males (i.e., those individuals that are male at first sexual maturity) constituted 30% of all sampled individuals and 79% of all males. A clearly defined, yet protracted, spawning season was evident, with peak spawning occurring from December-February, extending from November to April in some individuals. The estimated median length (L50 ) and age (A50 ) at female maturity were 38.9 cm LF and 5.7 years, respectively, while the estimated length at which females changed sex to secondary males was 52.5 cm LF . Reported longevity and asymptotic length were found to exhibit considerable regional variation, and both were negatively associated with SST. The results highlight the importance of geographically disparate studies into the species' biology, inform future assessments for the species, provide key baseline information for comparative work and improve understanding of spatial patterns of the life history of parrotfish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley R. Moore
- Coastal Fisheries Programme, Pacific Community (SPC)NouméaNew Caledonia
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartAustralia
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric ResearchNelsonNew Zealand
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Decadal (2006-2018) dynamics of Southwestern Atlantic's largest turbid zone reefs. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247111. [PMID: 33617570 PMCID: PMC7899327 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropical reefs are declining rapidly due to climate changes and local stressors such as water quality deterioration and overfishing. The so-called marginal reefs sustain significant coral cover and growth but are dominated by fewer species adapted to suboptimal conditions to most coral species. However, the dynamics of marginal systems may diverge from that of the archetypical oligotrophic tropical reefs, and it is unclear whether they are more or less susceptible to anthropogenic stress. Here, we present the largest (100 fixed quadrats at five reefs) and longest time series (13 years) of benthic cover data for Southwestern Atlantic turbid zone reefs, covering sites under contrasting anthropogenic and oceanographic forcing. Specifically, we addressed how benthic cover changed among habitats and sites, and possible dominance-shift trends. We found less temporal variation in offshore pinnacles' tops than on nearshore ones and, conversely, higher temporal fluctuation on offshore pinnacles' walls than on nearshore ones. In general, the Abrolhos reefs sustained a stable coral cover and we did not record regional-level dominance shifts favoring other organisms. However, coral decline was evidenced in one reef near a dredging disposal site. Relative abundances of longer-lived reef builders showed a high level of synchrony, which indicates that their dynamics fluctuate under similar drivers. Therefore, changes on those drivers could threaten the stability of these reefs. With the intensification of thermal anomalies and land-based stressors, it is unclear whether the Abrolhos reefs will keep providing key ecosystem services. It is paramount to restrain local stressors that contributed to coral reef deterioration in the last decades, once reversal and restoration tend to become increasingly difficult as coral reefs degrade further and climate changes escalate.
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Roos NC, Taylor BM, Carvalho AR, Longo GO. Demography of the largest and most endangered Brazilian parrotfish, Scarus trispinosus, reveals overfishing. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2020. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many parrotfishes (Labridae: Scarinae) have life history traits, including late maturation and long lifespans, that make them vulnerable to overfishing. The greenbeak parrotfish Scarus trispinosus is the largest Brazilian endemic parrotfish and has been harvested in reef-associated fisheries along the coast. After a sharp population decline, S. trispinosus is now considered by the IUCN to be an Endangered species. We provide an assessment of age-based and reproductive biology for this species and discuss applications for fisheries management. We sampled 95 individuals from inshore and offshore reefs from Rio Grande do Norte state, northeast Brazil, both obtained from artisanal fishing landings and fishery-independent collections. All sampled specimens were females with fork lengths (FL) ranging from 8.1 to 55.9 cm and ages ranging from 0.3 to 7 yr, with estimated median maturity (L50) of 39.2 cm FL and median age (A50) of 4.2 yr. Size class distributions indicate that the inshore reefs are mostly inhabited by juveniles under L50, whereas the offshore reefs are inhabited by mature individuals, suggesting an ontogenetic habitat shift from inshore to offshore reefs around the timing of maturation. The fishing pressure on this species is concentrated in inshore reefs, therefore mostly on immature individuals, which may be severely affecting the reproductive capacity of this species. This information is useful to guide size-based fisheries management, such as regulating minimum capture size and fishing gears that capture individuals smaller than L50. Managing fisheries of endangered species with late maturity and complex reproductive cycles such as S. trispinosus is imperative to aid recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- NC Roos
- Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Oceanography and Limnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59014-002, Brazil
| | - BM Taylor
- The Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, WA 6008, Australia
| | - AR Carvalho
- Fishing Ecology, Management and Economics group, Department of Ecology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59098-970, Brazil
| | - GO Longo
- Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Oceanography and Limnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59014-002, Brazil
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