Premium
The Effect of Parrotfish (Scaridae) on Coral in Barbados, W. I
Author(s) -
Frydl Paul
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
internationale revue der gesamten hydrobiologie und hydrographie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1522-2632
pISSN - 0020-9309
DOI - 10.1002/iroh.19790640603
Subject(s) - parrotfish , coral , biology , porites , ecology , coral reef , grazing , fishery
Among the five species of parrotfish studied, only large Sparisoma viride (and rarely large Scarus vetula ) graze on live coral. Of the several species of corals grazed, Montastrea annularis is grazed most extensively, and variations in its form may be the result of grazing scars. Parrotfish feeding on algae at the bases of the corals Madracis mirabilis and Porites porites break off the corals. This attack causes recession of the stands of M. mirabilis at an average rate of 1 cm/month.