Moray eels are more common on coral reefs subject to higher human pressure in the greater Caribbean

Gina M. Clementi; Judith Bakker; Kathryn I. Flowers; Bautisse D. Postaire; Elizabeth A. Babcock; Mark E. Bond; Dayne Buddo; Diego Cardeñosa; Leanne M. Currey-Randall; Jordan S. Goetze; Euan S. Harvey; Michelle Heupel; Jeremy J. Kiszka; Fabian Kyne; M. Aaron MacNeil; Mark G. Meekan; Matthew J. Rees; Colin A. Simpfendorfer; Conrad W. Speed; Michael R. Heithaus; Demian D. Chapman

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2021.102097

Moray eels are more common on coral reefs subject to higher human pressure in the greater Caribbean

Gina M. Clementi, Judith Bakker, Kathryn I. Flowers, Bautisse D. Postaire, Elizabeth A. Babcock, Mark E. Bond, Dayne Buddo, Diego Cardeñosa, Leanne M. Currey-Randall, Jordan S. Goetze, Euan S. Harvey, Michelle Heupel, Jeremy J. Kiszka, Fabian Kyne, M. Aaron MacNeil, Mark G. Meekan, Matthew J. Rees, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Conrad W. Speed, Michael R. HeithausDemian D. Chapman

Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Proximity and size of the nearest market (‘market gravity’) have been shown to have strong negative effects on coral reef fish communities that can be mitigated by the establishment of closed areas. However, moray eels are functionally unique predators that are generally not subject to targeted fishing and should therefore not directly be affected by these factors. We used baited remote underwater video systems to investigate associations between morays and anthropogenic, habitat, and ecological factors in the Caribbean region. Market gravity had a positive effect on morays, while the opposite pattern was observed in a predator group subject to exploitation (sharks). Environmental DNA analyses corroborated the positive effect of market gravity on morays. We hypothesize that the observed pattern could be the indirect result of the depletion of moray competitors and predators near humans. Environmental science; ecology; biological sciences; zoology; animals; ethology

Original language	English
Article number	102097
Journal	iScience
Volume	24
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102097
Publication status	Published - Mar 19 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work is a contribution of the Global FinPrint Project funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (grant number 11861) and the Shark Conservation Fund. Earthwatch Institute, Moore Bahamas Foundation, Reuter Foundation, Waitt Foundation, and the Moore Family Foundation also provided support. We are grateful to the many staff, students, and volunteers who contributed to BRUVS and eDNA collection and video annotation and Mathew Wyatt for the use of BenthoBox. We thank Joseph Craine, Jessica Devitt, and Vasco Elbrecht from Jonah Ventures. This is contribution #201 from the Coastlines and Oceans Division of the Institute of Environment at Florida International University. D.D.C. and K.I.F. conceived the BRUVS moray study. D.D.C. M.R.H. E.S.H. M.H. C.A.S. M.A.M, and M.G.M. led Global FinPrint. D.D.C. B.D.P. and J.B. conceived of the eDNA study. All authors contributed to the design and execution of Global FinPrint and/or eDNA sampling. J.B. and B.D.P. conducted eDNA laboratory work and eDNA bioinformatics. BRUVS modeling was conducted by G.M.C. with guidance from E.A.B. eDNA modeling was conducted by K.I.F. with guidance from E.A.B. The manuscript was initially written by G.M.C. J.B. and D.D.C. All authors read and commented on the manuscript. The authors declare no competing interests.

Funding Information:
This work is a contribution of the Global FinPrint Project funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (grant number 11861 ) and the Shark Conservation Fund. Earthwatch Institute , Moore Bahamas Foundation , Reuter Foundation , Waitt Foundation , and the Moore Family Foundation also provided support. We are grateful to the many staff, students, and volunteers who contributed to BRUVS and eDNA collection and video annotation and Mathew Wyatt for the use of BenthoBox. We thank Joseph Craine, Jessica Devitt, and Vasco Elbrecht from Jonah Ventures. This is contribution #201 from the Coastlines and Oceans Division of the Institute of Environment at Florida International University.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

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Clementi, G. M., Bakker, J., Flowers, K. I., Postaire, B. D., Babcock, E. A., Bond, M. E., Buddo, D., Cardeñosa, D., Currey-Randall, L. M., Goetze, J. S., Harvey, E. S., Heupel, M., Kiszka, J. J., Kyne, F., MacNeil, M. A., Meekan, M. G., Rees, M. J., Simpfendorfer, C. A., Speed, C. W., ... Chapman, D. D. (2021). Moray eels are more common on coral reefs subject to higher human pressure in the greater Caribbean. iScience, 24(3), Article 102097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102097

Clementi, GM, Bakker, J, Flowers, KI, Postaire, BD, Babcock, EA, Bond, ME, Buddo, D, Cardeñosa, D, Currey-Randall, LM, Goetze, JS, Harvey, ES, Heupel, M, Kiszka, JJ, Kyne, F, MacNeil, MA, Meekan, MG, Rees, MJ, Simpfendorfer, CA, Speed, CW, Heithaus, MR & Chapman, DD 2021, 'Moray eels are more common on coral reefs subject to higher human pressure in the greater Caribbean', iScience, vol. 24, no. 3, 102097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102097

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title = "Moray eels are more common on coral reefs subject to higher human pressure in the greater Caribbean",

abstract = "Proximity and size of the nearest market ({\textquoteleft}market gravity{\textquoteright}) have been shown to have strong negative effects on coral reef fish communities that can be mitigated by the establishment of closed areas. However, moray eels are functionally unique predators that are generally not subject to targeted fishing and should therefore not directly be affected by these factors. We used baited remote underwater video systems to investigate associations between morays and anthropogenic, habitat, and ecological factors in the Caribbean region. Market gravity had a positive effect on morays, while the opposite pattern was observed in a predator group subject to exploitation (sharks). Environmental DNA analyses corroborated the positive effect of market gravity on morays. We hypothesize that the observed pattern could be the indirect result of the depletion of moray competitors and predators near humans. Environmental science; ecology; biological sciences; zoology; animals; ethology",

author = "Clementi, {Gina M.} and Judith Bakker and Flowers, {Kathryn I.} and Postaire, {Bautisse D.} and Babcock, {Elizabeth A.} and Bond, {Mark E.} and Dayne Buddo and Diego Carde{\~n}osa and Currey-Randall, {Leanne M.} and Goetze, {Jordan S.} and Harvey, {Euan S.} and Michelle Heupel and Kiszka, {Jeremy J.} and Fabian Kyne and MacNeil, {M. Aaron} and Meekan, {Mark G.} and Rees, {Matthew J.} and Simpfendorfer, {Colin A.} and Speed, {Conrad W.} and Heithaus, {Michael R.} and Chapman, {Demian D.}",

note = "Funding Information: This work is a contribution of the Global FinPrint Project funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (grant number 11861) and the Shark Conservation Fund. Earthwatch Institute, Moore Bahamas Foundation, Reuter Foundation, Waitt Foundation, and the Moore Family Foundation also provided support. We are grateful to the many staff, students, and volunteers who contributed to BRUVS and eDNA collection and video annotation and Mathew Wyatt for the use of BenthoBox. We thank Joseph Craine, Jessica Devitt, and Vasco Elbrecht from Jonah Ventures. This is contribution #201 from the Coastlines and Oceans Division of the Institute of Environment at Florida International University. D.D.C. and K.I.F. conceived the BRUVS moray study. D.D.C. M.R.H. E.S.H. M.H. C.A.S. M.A.M, and M.G.M. led Global FinPrint. D.D.C. B.D.P. and J.B. conceived of the eDNA study. All authors contributed to the design and execution of Global FinPrint and/or eDNA sampling. J.B. and B.D.P. conducted eDNA laboratory work and eDNA bioinformatics. BRUVS modeling was conducted by G.M.C. with guidance from E.A.B. eDNA modeling was conducted by K.I.F. with guidance from E.A.B. The manuscript was initially written by G.M.C. J.B. and D.D.C. All authors read and commented on the manuscript. The authors declare no competing interests. Funding Information: This work is a contribution of the Global FinPrint Project funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation (grant number 11861 ) and the Shark Conservation Fund. Earthwatch Institute , Moore Bahamas Foundation , Reuter Foundation , Waitt Foundation , and the Moore Family Foundation also provided support. We are grateful to the many staff, students, and volunteers who contributed to BRUVS and eDNA collection and video annotation and Mathew Wyatt for the use of BenthoBox. We thank Joseph Craine, Jessica Devitt, and Vasco Elbrecht from Jonah Ventures. This is contribution #201 from the Coastlines and Oceans Division of the Institute of Environment at Florida International University. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021",

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AU - Clementi, Gina M.

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AU - Postaire, Bautisse D.

AU - Babcock, Elizabeth A.

AU - Bond, Mark E.

AU - Buddo, Dayne

AU - Cardeñosa, Diego

AU - Currey-Randall, Leanne M.

AU - Goetze, Jordan S.

AU - Harvey, Euan S.

AU - Heupel, Michelle

AU - Kiszka, Jeremy J.

AU - Kyne, Fabian

AU - MacNeil, M. Aaron

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AU - Rees, Matthew J.

AU - Simpfendorfer, Colin A.

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AU - Heithaus, Michael R.

AU - Chapman, Demian D.

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N2 - Proximity and size of the nearest market (‘market gravity’) have been shown to have strong negative effects on coral reef fish communities that can be mitigated by the establishment of closed areas. However, moray eels are functionally unique predators that are generally not subject to targeted fishing and should therefore not directly be affected by these factors. We used baited remote underwater video systems to investigate associations between morays and anthropogenic, habitat, and ecological factors in the Caribbean region. Market gravity had a positive effect on morays, while the opposite pattern was observed in a predator group subject to exploitation (sharks). Environmental DNA analyses corroborated the positive effect of market gravity on morays. We hypothesize that the observed pattern could be the indirect result of the depletion of moray competitors and predators near humans. Environmental science; ecology; biological sciences; zoology; animals; ethology

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Moray eels are more common on coral reefs subject to higher human pressure in the greater Caribbean

Abstract

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