Houlbreque F. auteur aut IRD Delesalle B. auteur aut IRD Blanchot Jean auteur aut IRD Montel Yves auteur aut IRD Ferrier Pages C. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access We examined the trophic contribution of pico- and nanoplankton to a patch reef dominated by scleractinian corals and located at Mayotte Island (Comoro Archipelago). Pico- and nanoplankton concentrations, as well as total particulate organic matter, were measured on a sandybottom and a patch reef transect. Results showed that particles < 10 mu m accounted for 74% of the chlorophyll a concentration and for 47% of the total living carbon. Synechococcus sp. represented 65% of the chlorophyll < 3 mu m and 53 and 67% of the autotrophic carbon and nitrogen, respectively, followed by picoeukaryotes, nanoeukaryotes and Prochlorococcus sp. Concentrations of total chlorophyll a, as well as picoplankton groups, were depleted 30 to 45% above the reef compared to in the adjacent waters and in sandy-bottom samples, Concentrations of nanoflagellates and total particulate organic matter, by contrast, remained unchanged during their passage across the reef. These results suggest selective grazing of picoplankton by the benthic community and compound the importance of picoplankton for the benthic-pelagic coupling and trophic dynamics on coral reefs. specialized picoplankton nanoplankton benthos Coral reef communities particle removal MAYOTTE 036 44 1 59-70 2006 0948-3055 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00001141 10.3354/ame044059 0948-3055 [F A010054602] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00001141 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2025-01/010054602.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2006-10-06 2025-01-03 PAR00001141 fre