Depth gradients drive changes in early successional community composition and associated coral larvae settlement interactions

摘要: Depth gradients are known to drive patterns of adult and juvenile coral distribution, but the influence on early successional communities subsequent interactions with larvae settlement poorly understood. We studied how changed across a 40 m depth gradient test whether could be explained by changes in preferred substrates. Light decreased 83-fold from 3 40 m, orientation switched tile undersides at 8 m topsides 25 as expected. Regardless reduction light, community composition tiles did not change depths, being dominated turf algae (49%), crustose coralline (CCA; 29%), biofilmed (12%). In contrast, were fleshy 3 m, transitioning ascidians bryozoans 25 m, (80%) 40 m. Following multiple regression analysis an initial 21 bio-physical variables (R2 = 0.34), optimal reduced model for predicting included just five most variability (R2 = 0.29). CCA contributed R2 0.14 was positively correlated Acroporidae settlement, 0.09 negatively while other predictors nominal variance. As assessed using electivity indices, preference shallower depths deeper environments. addition light larval behaviour described previous research, our results show that also provide important facilitator gradients. However, shallow reefs environments, further work is required elucidate occurring finer taxonomic resolution within can help explain switches light-limited