Indirect benefits of high coral cover for non-corallivorous

摘要: Extensive coral loss often leads to pronounced declines in the abundance of fishes, which are not neces- sarily limited those fishes that directly reliant on live for food or shelter. This study explored changes two non-corallivorous butterflyfish, Chaeta- don auriga and Chaetodon vagabundus, during cover at Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef, caused by localised outbreaks crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS). At North where COTS significant depletion, C. declined from 1995-1996 1997-1999, whereas was unchanged Washing Machine relatively unaffected COTS. Abundance vagabundus did vary through course this either site. To better understand inter-specific differences responses butterflyfishes, feeding rates were quantified across sites with varying cover. Feeding sig- nificantly positively correlated In contrast, differ among levels shows is negatively affected possibly because its prey more abundant coral-rich habitats. meanwhile, generally stresses need detailed research light current predicted elucidate specific dietary composition versus extent their actually coral.