Diversity of foraging behavior of coral reef fishes: relevance to coral reef ecosystem soundness

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06199
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 40030:Aquatic bioproduction science-related
• Research Institution: Fisheries Research and Education Agency
• Principal Investigator: Atsushi Nanami 国立研究開発法人水産研究・教育機構, 水産技術研究所(長崎), 主任研究員 (90372060)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: サンゴ礁魚類 / 造礁サンゴ / サンゴポリプ食魚類 / 藻類食魚類 / デトリタス食魚類 / 摂餌行動 / 生理特性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study examined the effects of coral community degradation on foraging behavior and body condition of coral reef fishes. The relationship between survival rate of coral and foraging behavior of herbivore fishes were also examined. The study targets were butterflyfishes (coral polyp feeder), parrotfishes (herbivore), rabbitfishes (herbivore) and surgeonfishes (herbivore and detritus feeder). Caging experiment using plates with coral juveniles was also conducted. The present study revealed diverse responses to foraging behavior and body condition of coral reef fishes by coral community degradation as well as the possibility that foraging behavior of herbivore fishes have positive effects on survival rates of corals.

Free Research Field

魚類生態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

サンゴ群集の劣化に伴う魚類の応答は？この問いに対して、魚類の摂餌行動と栄養状態から解明を試みた。餌をとる場所、摂餌場所を探索する時間、魚体の栄養状態を魚種ごとに明らかし、サンゴ群集の劣化に伴う魚類の応答ついて正しい理解を得ることの社会的な意義は大きい。サンゴ群集が劣化した後に、サンゴの回復の度合いが海域によって異なるのはなぜか？この問いに対して、「藻食魚類の摂餌行動によって海藻が除去されると、空き地にサンゴが加入しやすくなる」という仮説を検証した。サンゴ礁生態系の健全性維持に関わる藻食魚類の役割を検討することで、保全すべき魚種の選定に貢献することができる。