MEPS

Marine Ecology Progress Series

MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

Impact Factor2.1 (JCR 2025 release)

Article Acceptance Rate52.2% (2024)

Average Time in Review216 days (2024)

Total Annual Downloads2.927.775 (2025)

Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 635:105-122 (2020)

Trophic ecology of red snapper Lutjanus campechanus on natural and artificial reefs: interactions between annual variability, habitat, and ontogeny

ABSTRACT: In the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), oil and gas platforms have created an expansive network of artificial reefs. Generally, policies mandate removal of these structures post-production; however, many enter ‘Rigs-to-Reefs’ (RTR) programs that convert the rig materials into artificial reefs (‘reefing’). Despite the growth of RTR programs worldwide, the functionality of the resulting habitats remains uncertain, particularly due to the lack of comparative studies with natural systems. To address this data gap as it relates to trophic ecology, we compared annual, ontogenetic, and habitat-specific diet and stable isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) of adult red snapper Lutjanus campechanus (n = 1585) from relic coralgal natural reefs to those of fish from standing and reefed platforms located in similar depth strata of the northwestern GOM. Stomach content analyses revealed significant effects of year, habitat, and total length on prey composition. Subsequent analyses of stable isotope values by size class identified a non-linear relationship with ontogeny. δ13C and δ15N values at reefed platforms and natural reefs decreased in the medium size class (401-600 mm total length), whereas fish from standing platforms exhibited more consistent feeding patterns across ontogeny. Annual variability was also observed in δ13C and δ15N values, with 2013 and 2014 significantly different from 2015. These findings suggest that the trophic impacts of habitat type on reef fishes are more complex than previously considered in the GOM and that reefed platforms provide foraging opportunities more similar to natural reefs than standing platforms.

KEYWORDS

Rachel A. Brewton (Corresponding Author)

  • Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946, USA
brewtonr@fau.edu

Charles H. Downey (Co-author)

  • Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412, USA

Matthew K. Streich (Co-author)

  • Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412, USA

Jennifer J. Wetz (Co-author)

  • Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412, USA

Matthew J. Ajemian (Co-author)

  • Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. Highway 1 North, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946, USA

Gregory W. Stunz (Co-author)

  • Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78412, USA