@article{fdi:010091043,
  title = {{O}ut of shape : ocean acidification simplifies coral reef architecture and reshuffles fish assemblages},
  author = {{P}riest, {J}. and {F}erreira, {C}. {M}. and {M}unday, {P}. {L}. and {R}oberts, {A}. and {R}odolfo-{M}etalpa, {R}iccardo and {R}ummer, {J}. {L}. and {S}chunter, {C}. and {R}avasi, {T}. and {N}agelkerken, {I}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{C}limate change stressors are progressively simplifying biogenic habitats in the terrestrial and marine realms, and consequently altering the structure of associated species communities. {H}ere, we used a volcanic {CO}2 seep in {P}apua {N}ew {G}uinea to test in situ if altered reef architecture due to ocean acidification reshuffles associated fish assemblages. {W}e observed replacement of branching corals by massive corals at the seep, with simplified coral architectural complexity driving abundance declines between 60% and 86% for an assemblage of damselfishes associated with branching corals. {A}n experimental test of habitat preference for a focal species indicated that acidification does not directly affect habitat selection behaviour, with changes in habitat structural complexity consequently appearing to be the stronger driver of assemblage reshuffling. {H}abitat health affected anti-predator behaviour, with {P}. moluccensis becoming less bold on dead branching corals relative to live branching corals, irrespective of ocean acidification. {W}e conclude that coral reef fish assemblages are likely to be more sensitive to changes in habitat structure induced by increasing p{CO}2 than any direct effects on behaviour, indicating that changes in coral architecture and live cover may act as important mediators of reef fish community structures in a future ocean. {M}any small-bodied reef fish are strongly associated with structurally complex corals. {H}owever, under acidified conditions, massive corals often outcompete branching corals, leading to reef 'flattening'. {A}s ocean acidification increases globally, we show that resultant simplification of coral structural complexity may act as an important mediator of future reef fish communities.image},
  keywords = {coral reef fishes ; coral structural complexity ; habitat association ; habitat simplification ; indirect effects ; ocean acidification ; {PAPOUASIE} {NOUVELLE} {GUINEE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {A}nimal {E}cology},
  volume = {[{E}arly access]},
  numero = {},
  pages = {[11 p.]},
  ISSN = {0021-8790},
  year = {2024},
  DOI = {10.1111/1365-2656.14127},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010091043},
}