Reef-scale partitioning of cryptobenthic fish assemblages across the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

摘要: Onshore to offshore gradients in marine assemblages have been well documented on coral reefs, with most studies showing a distinct separation between onshore and locations. Here we use enclosed anaesthetic sampling of small, cryptobenthic reef fishes assess changes assemblage composition across the Great Barrier Reef continental shelf. The exhibited fine-scale partitioning Three dominant species goby accounted for over 55% all collected, 1 characterising each 3 key shelf positions: inner-, mid- outer-shelf. Multivariate analyses revealed further reefs within inner- mid-shelf positions, highlighting exceptional sensitivity fish position, progressive individual distance from shore. These among-reef patterns contrast markedly other taxa which invariably show 2 broad (inner-vs. composite outer-shelf community). As result this environmental conditions, communities may represent good subjects high-resolution monitoring disturbances reefs.