We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
First record of predation on reproductive Palythoa caribaeorum (Anthozoa: Sphenopidae): insights on the trade-off between chemical defences and nutritional value.
- Authors
Longo, G.O.; Krajewski, J.P.; Segal, B.; Floeter, S.R.
- Abstract
During fieldwork at the Abrolhos reefs (north-east Brazil) the whitespotted filefish Cantherhines macrocerus was observed predating a reproductive colony of the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum. Several fresh bite marks observed in the colonies suggest that other individuals and probably other species were also feeding on the zoanthid. This is the first record of predation on this zoanthid during its reproductive stage. Since P. caribaeorum contains anti-predation chemical defences, we discuss that the presence of egg-bearing polyps might increase the predator benefit in the predation trade-off, i.e. it might be more worthwhile to deal with such defences when the energy budget of eggs is also involved. Therefore, the reproductive stage of chemically defended organisms might shape the frequency and intensity of such interaction.
- Subjects
EFFECT of predators on fishes; ANTHOZOA; PREDATION; ANIMAL chemical defenses; REEF fishes; FISH reproduction; REPRODUCTIVE allocation; ZOANTHINARIA; MARINE toxins
- Publication
Marine Biodiversity Records, 2012, Vol 5, p00
- ISSN
1755-2672
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1017/S1755267212000206