Journal article
Range extensions in anemonefishes and host sea anemones in eastern Australia: potential constraints to tropicalisation
Marine & Freshwater Research, Vol.68(7), pp.1224-1232
2016
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Source: InCites
Abstract
<p>Species distributions at range edges show complex shifts with climate change. The present study examined anemonefish and host sea anemone abundance at their southern distribution limits on the eastern coast of Australia, to identify factors influencing the geographic responses of the symbiosis. Roaming surveys (30 min) were conducted at 21 sites (~30.01–30.95°S) on rocky reefs in a tropical–temperate transition zone. Two species of host anemones (<em>Entacmaea quadricolor</em> and <em>Heteractis crispa</em>) and anemonefishes (<em>Amphiprion akindynos</em> and <em>A. latezonatus</em>) were found, along with <em>Dascyllus trimaculatus.</em> Nearly all anemones and anemonefishes (>99.5%) were associated with vegetated islands and rocky islets, and abundance was influenced by seawater temperature. Greater numbers of <em>H. crispa</em> and <em>A. akindynos</em> than <em>E. quadricolor</em> and <em>A. latezonatus</em> were found; however, most <em>A. akindynos</em> were juveniles. <em>H. crispa</em> provided nursery habitat for both fishes, whereas adult fishes utilised only <em>E. quadricolor</em>. A southern range extension was found for <em>E. quadricolor</em>, and overwintering of <em>A. latezonatus</em> had extended poleward since the mid-1990s. The paucity of islands and rocky islets south of our surveys, and host-usage patterns, could constrain future range extensions. These findings showed climate-driven latitudinal shifts are complex and are likely to be variably constrained for different species.</p>
Details
- Title
- Range extensions in anemonefishes and host sea anemones in eastern Australia: potential constraints to tropicalisation
- Creators
- Hamish Malcolm - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesAnna Scott - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Marine & Freshwater Research, Vol.68(7), pp.1224-1232
- Identifiers
- 4157; 991012820711502368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; National Marine Science Centre; Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry; School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Marine Ecology Research Centre
- Resource Type
- Journal article