Assessing the magnitude of intra- and interspecific competition in two coral reef fishes

Oecologia
Graham E ForresterRichard R Vance

Abstract

Many field experiments have tested for effects of competition in nature, but relatively few have used designs allowing simultaneous assessment of the influence of intra- and interspecific competition. Using a response surface design and a press manipulation of densities, we tested effects of competition within and between two species of coral reef fishes (Coryphopterus glaucofraneum and Gnatholepis thompsoni). By tracking individually tagged fishes, we showed that the per-capita effect of intraspecific competitors on individual growth was at least twice as great as the effect of interspecific competitors. Growth rate was better predicted by measures of density that incorporated body size, rather than numerical density, suggesting interference competition. Individuals of both species interacted aggressively with conspecifics at least twice as often as with heterospecifics. Individuals of both species also covered more area while foraging and spent less time in shelter when crowded than when at lower densities. In combination, these behaviours suggest that increased metabolic costs at high density contribute to competitive effects on growth. These competitive interactions occurred among adult fishes, so reduced growth may transla...Continue Reading

References

Aug 15, 2002·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Mark H CarrMark A Hixon

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Citations

Jul 3, 2009·The ISME Journal·John P DeLong, David T Hanson
Jul 20, 2012·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Mark I McCormick
Aug 18, 2012·PloS One·Mark I McCormick, Christine J Weaver
Nov 6, 2009·Ecology·Shane W Geange, Adrian C Stier
May 10, 2015·Marine Environmental Research·Isabela Carolina Silva LealPedro Henrique Cipresso Pereira

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