Feeding ecology of fishes associated with artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico

The feeding ecology of two reef fishes associated with artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico (GoM) was examined using gut contents and natural stable isotopes. Reefs were divided into three regions (east, central, west) across an east to west gradient of increasing reef complexity and sal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one Vol. 13; no. 10; p. e0203873
Main Authors: Dance, Kaylan M., Rooker, Jay R., Shipley, J. Brooke, Dance, Michael A., Wells, R. J. David
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Public Library of Science 02.10.2018
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:
Adults
Algae
Animal feeding and feeds
Aquatic microorganisms
Artificial reefs
Balistes capriscus
Biology and Life Sciences
Content analysis
Crabs
Crustaceans
Dance
Diet
Earth Sciences
Ecology
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Feeding
Fisheries management
Fishes
Fishing
Gastropoda
Gastropods
Genetic aspects
Isotopes
Juveniles
Lutjanus campechanus
Marine biology
Mollusks
Muscles
Organic matter
Particulate organic matter
Physical Sciences
Physiological aspects
Prey
Primary production
Species
Stable isotopes
Sulfur
Gulf of Mexico
Louisiana
United States > US
Texas
ISSN:1932-6203, 1932-6203
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Summary:The feeding ecology of two reef fishes associated with artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico (GoM) was examined using gut contents and natural stable isotopes. Reefs were divided into three regions (east, central, west) across an east to west gradient of increasing reef complexity and salinity. Gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) primarily consumed reef-associated prey (xanthid crabs, bivalves, barnacles) and pelagic gastropods, while red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) diets were mainly comprised of non-reef prey (stomatopods, fishes, portunid crabs). Natural stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), and sulfur (δ34S) were measured in consumer muscle tissue as well as potential primary producers. Gray triggerfish occupied a lower trophic position than red snapper, with lower δ13C and δ15N values across all size classes and regions, and generally higher δ34S values. Red snapper had a smaller range of stable isotope values and corrected standard ellipse areas across all size classes and regions, indicating a smaller isotopic niche. Contribution estimates of particulate organic matter (26 to 54%) and benthic microalgae (BMA, 47 to 74%) for both species were similar, with BMA contributions greater across all three size classes (juveniles, sub-adults, adults) of red snapper and all but the juvenile size class for gray triggerfish. Species gut contents and stable isotopes differed by region, with fishes consuming more crabs in the east region and more gastropods in the central and west regions. δ13C and δ15N values generally decreased from east to west, while δ34S increased across this gradient. Results highlight species-specific feeding differences associated with artificial reefs, where gray triggerfish may be more dependent on the reef structure for foraging opportunities. In addition, results offer further information on the integral role of BMA in primary production at nearshore artificial reefs.
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Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0203873