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Fine-scale foraging behavior reveals differences in the functional roles of herbivorous reef fishes

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Fine-scale foraging behavior reveals differences in the functional roles of herbivorous reef fishes. / Semmler, R.F.; Brandl, S.J.; Keith, S.A. et al.
In: Ecology and Evolution, Vol. 11, No. 9, 31.05.2021, p. 4898-4908.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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Semmler RF, Brandl SJ, Keith SA, Bellwood DR. Fine-scale foraging behavior reveals differences in the functional roles of herbivorous reef fishes. Ecology and Evolution. 2021 May 31;11(9):4898-4908. Epub 2021 Mar 18. doi: 10.1002/ece3.7398

Author

Semmler, R.F. ; Brandl, S.J. ; Keith, S.A. et al. / Fine-scale foraging behavior reveals differences in the functional roles of herbivorous reef fishes. In: Ecology and Evolution. 2021 ; Vol. 11, No. 9. pp. 4898-4908.

Bibtex

@article{7a563788ad6d4fa0992338c8420db112,
title = "Fine-scale foraging behavior reveals differences in the functional roles of herbivorous reef fishes",
abstract = "Efforts to understand and protect ecosystem functioning have put considerable emphasis on classifying species according to the functions they perform. However, coarse classifications based on diet or feeding mode often oversimplify species' contributions to ecological processes. Behavioral variation among superficially similar species is easily missed but could indicate important differences in competitive interactions and the spatial scale at which species deliver their functions. To test the extent to which behavior can vary within existing functional classifications, we investigate the diversity of foraging movements in three herbivorous coral reef fishes across two functional groups. We find significant variation in foraging movements and spatial scales of operation between species, both within and across existing functional groups. Specifically, we show that movements and space use range from low frequency foraging bouts separated by short distances and tight turns across a small area, to high frequency, far-ranging forays separated by wide sweeping turns. Overall, we add to the burgeoning evidence that nuanced behavioral differences can underpin considerable complementarity within existing functional classifications, and that species assemblages may be considerably less redundant than previously thought. ",
keywords = "complementarity, coral reefs, foraging behavior, functional traits, movement",
author = "R.F. Semmler and S.J. Brandl and S.A. Keith and D.R. Bellwood",
year = "2021",
month = may,
day = "31",
doi = "10.1002/ece3.7398",
language = "English",
volume = "11",
pages = "4898--4908",
journal = "Ecology and Evolution",
issn = "2045-7758",
publisher = "John Wiley and Sons Ltd",
number = "9",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Fine-scale foraging behavior reveals differences in the functional roles of herbivorous reef fishes

AU - Semmler, R.F.

AU - Brandl, S.J.

AU - Keith, S.A.

AU - Bellwood, D.R.

PY - 2021/5/31

Y1 - 2021/5/31

N2 - Efforts to understand and protect ecosystem functioning have put considerable emphasis on classifying species according to the functions they perform. However, coarse classifications based on diet or feeding mode often oversimplify species' contributions to ecological processes. Behavioral variation among superficially similar species is easily missed but could indicate important differences in competitive interactions and the spatial scale at which species deliver their functions. To test the extent to which behavior can vary within existing functional classifications, we investigate the diversity of foraging movements in three herbivorous coral reef fishes across two functional groups. We find significant variation in foraging movements and spatial scales of operation between species, both within and across existing functional groups. Specifically, we show that movements and space use range from low frequency foraging bouts separated by short distances and tight turns across a small area, to high frequency, far-ranging forays separated by wide sweeping turns. Overall, we add to the burgeoning evidence that nuanced behavioral differences can underpin considerable complementarity within existing functional classifications, and that species assemblages may be considerably less redundant than previously thought. 

AB - Efforts to understand and protect ecosystem functioning have put considerable emphasis on classifying species according to the functions they perform. However, coarse classifications based on diet or feeding mode often oversimplify species' contributions to ecological processes. Behavioral variation among superficially similar species is easily missed but could indicate important differences in competitive interactions and the spatial scale at which species deliver their functions. To test the extent to which behavior can vary within existing functional classifications, we investigate the diversity of foraging movements in three herbivorous coral reef fishes across two functional groups. We find significant variation in foraging movements and spatial scales of operation between species, both within and across existing functional groups. Specifically, we show that movements and space use range from low frequency foraging bouts separated by short distances and tight turns across a small area, to high frequency, far-ranging forays separated by wide sweeping turns. Overall, we add to the burgeoning evidence that nuanced behavioral differences can underpin considerable complementarity within existing functional classifications, and that species assemblages may be considerably less redundant than previously thought. 

KW - complementarity

KW - coral reefs

KW - foraging behavior

KW - functional traits

KW - movement

U2 - 10.1002/ece3.7398

DO - 10.1002/ece3.7398

M3 - Journal article

VL - 11

SP - 4898

EP - 4908

JO - Ecology and Evolution

JF - Ecology and Evolution

SN - 2045-7758

IS - 9

ER -