Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Ontogenetic Diet Shifts In Nassau Grouper: Trophic Linkages And Predatory Impact, Db Eggleson, Jj Grover, Rom Lipcius
Ontogenetic Diet Shifts In Nassau Grouper: Trophic Linkages And Predatory Impact, Db Eggleson, Jj Grover, Rom Lipcius
VIMS Articles
Understanding which fauna and flora from seagrass beds serve as primary food for reef-based commuters is critical in defining trophic linkages between shallow-water habitats of tropical oceanic regions. Although numerous studies have documented the relative importance of crustaceans in the diet of reef fishes associated with tropical seagrass meadows, it is unknown if trophic importance corresponds to a significant effect on prey distribution and abundance patterns. We quantified size-specific diet of juvenile Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) inhabiting natural and artificial patch reefs, and manipulated the density of artificial patch reefs (0, 8, and 16 patch reefs per ha) to examine …