Effects of simulated fish predation on small colonies of massive Porites spp. and Pocillopora meandrina

摘要: The effects of corallivory on small colonies massive Porites spp. (<5 cm diameter) and Pocillopora meandrina (<7 high) were explored in situ shallow reefs Moorea, French Polynesia. Experiments conducted to test the hypothesis that corals respond equally dam- age caused by single bites fishes belonging 3 functional feeding guilds defined as excavators, scrapers, browsers, which damage different ways. While recovering from damage, grew 24 43% faster weight than P. meandrina, lesions scraping browsing healed more rapidly spp.; excavation meandrina. These results suggest fish corallivores differ between coral taxa, with contrasting potentially arising differences skeletal structure, corallum morphology, mode corallivore feeding.