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Identifying keystone predators and the importance of preserving functional diversity in sublittoral rocky-bottom areas

2010; Inter-Research; Volume: 413; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/meps08700

1616-1599

Sabrina Clemente, José Carlos Hernández, Adriana Rodríguez, Alberto Brito,

Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 413:55-67 (2010) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08700 Identifying keystone predators and the importance of preserving functional diversity in sublittoral rocky-bottom areas Sabrina Clemente1,2,*, José Carlos Hernández1,2,, Adriana Rodríguez1, Alberto Brito1 1Biodiversidad, Ecología Marina y Conservación, Departamento de Biología Animal (Ciencias Marinas), Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Laguna. Avenida Francisco Sánchez s/n, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain 2Present address: Villanova University, Biology Department, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, 19085 Pennsylvania, USA *Email: msclemen@ull.es ABSTRACT: Understanding the role of predatory fish within a community is essential to predict how ecosystem structure and function may respond to loss of fish species and to ensure conservation strategies are effective. The aim of the present study was to characterize relationships between predatory fish assemblages, sea urchin abundances and ecosystem function and services. By means of diet analyses and direct observations in the field, we identified key fish species with the potential to control the herbivore Diadema aff. antillarum and hence preserve fishing resources and coastal productivity in sublittoral rocky reefs around the Canary Islands. Differences in the composition and relative importance of predatory assemblages were observed along a gradient of fishing intensities comprising highly fished, lesser fished and marine protected areas. Increased fishing activity was associated with lower fish predator richness and higher urchin density. Most measures of predatory performance (frequency of predation, ingestion time, urchin size selection) differed between predatory fish species, showing that most predators of Diadema aff. antillarum are not functionally similar. This level of functional variation highlights the relevance of predator richness in controlling sea urchin populations. Depletion in species diversity leads to a loss of functional roles and cascading effects that may constrain ecosystem processes. KEY WORDS: Diadema aff. antillarum · Top-down control · Functional diversity · Ecosystem function · Ecosystem service · Fishing resources Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Clemente S, Hernández JC, Rodríguez A, Brito A (2010) Identifying keystone predators and the importance of preserving functional diversity in sublittoral rocky-bottom areas. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 413:55-67. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08700 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 413. Online publication date: August 26, 2010 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2010 Inter-Research.