Inter-Research > MEPS > v532 > p185-196  
MEPS
Marine Ecology Progress Series

via Mailchimp

MEPS 532:185-196 (2015)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11351

Distinct cross-shelf gradient in mesophotic reef fish assemblages in subtropical eastern Australia

Ryan Pearson*, Tim Stevens

Griffith School of Environment and Australian Rivers Institute, Gold Coast campus, Griffith University, Queensland 4222, Australia
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: The hypothesized importance of mesophotic (30 to 150 m depth) reefs justifies the recent trend in scientific scrutiny of these systems. However, to enable assessment of complex concepts such as connectivity and reef dynamics, baseline assemblage characteristics must first be established. This study used baited remote underwater video (BRUV) technology to investigate the assemblage structure of predatory and scavenging fishes across 4 mesophotic reef bands at ca. 30 to 82 m depth, at 2 locations 25 km apart in subtropical eastern Australia. We aimed to quantify patterns in predatory and scavenging fish assemblage structure at these reefs across the continental shelf and relate this to putative structuring environmental variables. Strong cross-shelf gradients were identified in species richness and overall assemblage composition. While the pattern of latitudinal affiliation did not change across the shelf, predatory and scavenging fish assemblages at non-adjacent reefs were statistically distinct (PERMANOVA interaction term p = 0.012), and best (but not well) explained by depth alone (BIOENV ρ = 0.396). A high proportion (15 to 45%) of the fish species at each reef band were found only within that band. These cross-shelf trends contrasted with those described from more complex shelf topography such as at the Solitary Islands (250 km south), and did not match published patterns of epibenthic assemblage structure. Our results highlight the need for detailed information on mesophotic reef assemblage structure to support marine conservation and reserve design initiatives, rather than relying on generalised trends from the literature.


KEY WORDS: Mesophotic reefs · Subtropical fish · Predator assemblage · Drivers


Full text in pdf format
Supplementary material
Cite this article as: Pearson R, Stevens T (2015) Distinct cross-shelf gradient in mesophotic reef fish assemblages in subtropical eastern Australia. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 532:185-196. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11351

Export citation
Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn

 Previous article Next article