Marine Ecology Progress Series
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps15012
copiedGeographic variation in the nutritional ecology of nominally herbivorous fishes in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean
- G. C. Cardozo-Ferreira
- K. D. Clements
- J. H. Choat
- T. C. Mendes
- R. M. Macieira
- C. E. Rezende
- J.-C. Joyeux
- C. E. L. Ferreira
Spatial and temporal niche partitioning are the basis for the coexistence of species. Determining niche partitioning among species over broad geographical scales requires multiple approaches, as local environmental features may vary spatially. We analysed the trophic ecology of 3 nominally herbivorous fishes—the doctorfish Acanthurus chirurgus, the grey parrotfish Sparisoma axillare, and the brassy chub Kyphosus vaigiensis—to identify the drivers of variation in resource use at different locations along the Brazilian coast: Natal, Abrolhos Archipelago, and Arraial do Cabo. We used 2 complementary approaches—dietary (at 2 scales of magnification) and stable isotope analyses (SIA)—to investigate variation in the nutritional ecology of the study species. We observed interspecific dietary variation at each location. Doctorfish showed the highest dietary variability, with significant contributions from diatoms and cyanobacteria; grey parrotfish mainly ingested detritus, cyanobacteria, and green filamentous algae, while brassy chub mainly ingested brown algae but with some supplementation from red and green macroalgae. Interspecific isotopic niche overlap varied among locations following variation in the isotopic niche width of species. Trophic positions (TP) varied unexpectedly, with grey parrotfish displaying a relatively higher TP in one location and the lowest in the others. The use of complementary approaches, providing short- and comparatively long-term information (diet and SIA, respectively), and a detailed description of dietary items are essential to understand niche and resource partitioning when studying the nutritional ecology of nominally herbivorous fishes.
KEYWORDS
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G. C. Cardozo-Ferreira (Corresponding Author)
- Reef Systems Ecology and Conservation Lab, Department of Marine Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense,Niterói, RJ 24220-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES 29075-910, Brazil
K. D. Clements (Co-author)
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 09-373 79, New Zealand
J. H. Choat (Co-author)
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4814, Australia
- Reef Systems Ecology and Conservation Lab, Department of Marine Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense,Niterói, RJ 24220-900, Brazil
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES 29075-910, Brazil
C. E. Rezende (Co-author)
- Research Group on Biogeochemistry of Aquatic Ecosystems, Centre for Bioscience and Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences Laboratory, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro,Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28.015-622, Brazil
J.-C. Joyeux (Co-author)
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, ES 29075-910, Brazil
- Reef Systems Ecology and Conservation Lab, Department of Marine Biology, Universidade Federal Fluminense,Niterói, RJ 24220-900, Brazil
Handling Editor:
Antonio Bode, A Coruña, Spain
Reviewers:
3 anonymous referees
Acknowledgements:
We thank L. Benevides, R. Andrades, A. Bernardino, V. Giglio, and R. Francini-Filho for their valuable comments on the manuscript, and to L. Benevides, L. Eggertsen, R. Bonaldo, R. Freitas, T. Calazans, N. Roos, C. Pimentel, J. Gonçalves, J. Gasparini, and G. Longo for their help with field and lab work. This project was funded by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq 401908/2013-5) and Rio de Janeiro State Foundation for Support to Research (FAPERJ E-26/111.168/2014 and E-26/200.638/2016) grants to C.E.L.F., and to T.C.M. (E-26/202.372/2021). G.C.C.-F. had financial support from FAPERJ (E-26/201.026/2022), FAPES (Foundation for Research and Innovation Support of Espírito Santo) (292/2015-70223165/15), and CNPq (208399/2017-8). This research was conducted under the Brazilian Environmental Agency collection permit (SISBIO #48112). C.E.L.F. is supported by CNPq (310219/2023-0) and FAPERJ (E-26/201.026/2022) productivity research grants.