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dc.contributor.authorKimirei, IA
dc.contributor.authorNagelkerken, I
dc.contributor.authorTrommelen, M
dc.contributor.authorBlankers, P
dc.contributor.authorvan Hoytema, N
dc.contributor.authorHoeijmakers, D
dc.contributor.authorHuijbers, CM
dc.contributor.authorMgaya, YD
dc.contributor.authorRypel, AL
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-03T16:10:41Z
dc.date.available2017-05-03T16:10:41Z
dc.date.issued2013
dc.date.modified2014-06-11T03:11:13Z
dc.identifier.issn1432-9840
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s10021-013-9645-4
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/55721
dc.description.abstractOntogenetic niche shifts are taxonomically and ecologically widespread across the globe. Consequently, identifying the ecological mechanics that promote these shifts at diverse scales is central to an improved understanding of ecosystems generally. We evaluated multiple potential drivers of ontogenetic niche shifts (predation, growth, maturation, diet shifts, and food availability) for three fish species between connected coral reef and nearshore habitats. In all cases, neither diet compositional change nor sexual maturity functioned as apparent triggers for emigration from juvenile to adult habitats. Rather, the fitness advantages conferred on reef inhabitants (that is, enhanced growth rates) were primarily related to high prey availability on reefs. However, there exists a clear trade-off to this benefit as survival rates for small fishes were significantly reduced on reefs, thereby revealing the potential value of (and rationale behind high juvenile abundances in) nearshore habitat as predation refugia. We ultimately conclude that predation risk functions as the primary early life stage inhibitor of ontogenetic niche shifts towards more profitable adult habitats in these systems. Furthermore, this study provides a case study for how complex, meta-dynamic populations and ecosystems might be better understood through the elucidation of simple ecological trade-offs.
dc.description.peerreviewedYes
dc.description.publicationstatusYes
dc.format.extent779676 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.publisher.placeUnited States
dc.relation.ispartofstudentpublicationN
dc.relation.ispartofpagefrom783
dc.relation.ispartofpageto796
dc.relation.ispartofissue5
dc.relation.ispartofjournalEcosystems
dc.relation.ispartofvolume16
dc.rights.retentionY
dc.subject.fieldofresearchEnvironmental sciences
dc.subject.fieldofresearchBiological sciences
dc.subject.fieldofresearchMarine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology)
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode41
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode31
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode310305
dc.titleWhat Drives Ontogenetic Niche Shifts of Fishes in Coral Reef Ecosystems?
dc.typeJournal article
dc.type.descriptionC1 - Articles
dc.type.codeC - Journal Articles
gro.rights.copyright© The Author(s) 2013. This is a Springer Open Choice license agreement which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
gro.date.issued2013
gro.hasfulltextFull Text
gro.griffith.authorHuijbers, Chantal


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