![]() They also determined that species composition depended more on the abundance of spongivores instead of geographic location. ![]() This allows them to compete with sponges that are left relatively untouched. Due to this grazing, the palatable sponges tend to heal and grow faster, as well as have a higher rate of recruitment and reproduction. Loh and Pawlik found that parrotfish, along with other spongivores, would graze on sponges that lacked chemical defenses over sponges that possess secondary metabolites. Sponges are also now the primary habitat-forming organism on Caribbean reefs. Parrotfish are also one of the primary grazers of sponges. A more long term benefit requires a more strict harvest limitation to combat the ever-increasing threats to coral reefs. This would have both ecological and economical benefits as it would also lead to an increase in coral reef health and production. A recent study suggests that if we implement a size restriction of less than 30cm there is a win:win outcome in the short term. The problem faced is that parrotfish are also a commonly fished species in the Caribbean. A shift to macroalgae dominated habitat would offer little value to fisheries, as most of the nutrients is lost to detrital pathways. In the Caribbean, parrotfish are the primary herbivore on the reef at middepth, helping keep macroalgae in check. Analysis shows though that the number one thing we can do to protect the health of coral reefs is to limit the amount of parrotfish we remove from the environment. Stoplight parrotfish, terminal phase (CC SA 3.0)Ĭoral reefs are under a lot of stressors including ocean acidification, rising ocean temperatures, and changing ecosystem balance due to overfishing and bycatch. Probably the most interesting thing though about parrotfish is their role in coral reefs. ![]() This change usually takes place due to an environmental cue, such as the loss of the dominant male. So, for example, parrotfish start as female in their initial phase, then change to male in the terminal phase. Each phase is characterized by being one gender. A sequential hermaphrodite is an animal that goes through an initial and terminal phase during its adult life. Parrotfish are also a part of a group of organisms called sequential hermaphrodites.
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