coral reef ecology final OCE4265

(lecture week 9) Corals can also reproduce asexually:

True

(Lecture week 11) Microatolls are

Where the water surface limits the upward growth, forcing the coral to EXPAND HORIZONTALLY/RADIALLY.

(Almany Paper) To avoid being swept away from natal reefs, reef fish larvae

migrate vertically in the water column to exploit currents at different depths

(ch.7) What is the general phrase used for the situation in which fishermen are increasingly fishing for smaller species?

"Fishing down the food chain."

(Bellwood Paper) For fish and coral, the Great Barrier Reef has more species in all functional groups than the Caribbean, and this causes

-A higher degree of functional redundancy within groups on the Great Barrier Reef, where the loss of any one species is potentially compensated for by the actions of another. -A functionally compromised assemblage that is more vulnerable to catastrophic phase shifts, particularly when subject to human exploitation and impacts.

(Bellwood Paper) The assessment of reef resilience requires:

-Major scaling-up of management efforts based on an improved understanding of the ecological processes that underlie reef resilience. -Market for reef resources urgently need to be framed by norms and regulations -Developing new metrics for stewardship of coral reef resilience

(Mumby Paper) Grazing of algae performs several critical functions in a coral reef ecosystem, including

-The conversion of primary production to fish-based trophic pathways -The provision of suitable settlement substrata for new corals -The mediation of competition between corals and macroalgae (All the above)

(Mumby Paper) Many fisheries management agencies are adopting the principle of ecosystem-based management (EBM), in which

-The wider functioning of whole ecosystems is considered -The wider requirements of whole ecosystems are considered

(Bellwood Paper) In the Great Barrier Reef:

-There are system wide decline in coral coverage -Increased contaminated coral specimens present -Due to runoff, over-harvesting and climate change.

(lecture week 9) Microbial degradation of spawning products results in the release of which compounds?

-carbon -nitrogen -phosphorus

(Hoegh-Guldberg Paper) Macroalgae tend to inhibit coral recruitment, fecundity, and growth because they:

-compete for light -compete for space -produce antifouling compounds that deter settlement by potential competitors.

(Hoegh-Guldberg Paper) Reef-building corals may exhibit several responses to reduced calcification, including

-decreased linear extension rate and skeletal density of coral colonies. -reducing skeletal density -Investing greater energy in calcification.

(Hoegh-Guldberg Paper) Coral reefs provide ecosystem services that are vital to human societies and industries through:

-fisheries -coastal protection -tourism -new biochemical compounds

(Hoegh-Guldberg Paper) Coral reefs are globally deteriorating due to:

-rapid increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide. -increasing global temperatures -ocean acidification

(Bellwood Paper) In 2003, more than half of the reefs sampled in the Great Barrier Reef had reduced coral cover due to:

-the impacts of 3 successive major outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish, and 2 large-scale bleaching events. -Marked demographic changes, reduced reproductive output of brood stocks, lower rates of recruitment, impaired connectivity, and species-level changes in coral composition.

(Bellwood Paper) Three functional groups play important and complementary roles in preconditioning reefs to permit recovery of corals, They are:

1) Bioeroders (remove dead corals, exposing the reef matrix for settlement of coralline algae and corals) 2) Scrapers (directly remove algae and sediment by close cropping). 3) Grazers (remove seaweed, reducing coral overgrowth and shading by macro-algae). -are a critical source of both resilience and vulnerability to phase shifts.

(Hoegh-Guldberg Paper) Of the carbon dioxide emitted from all anthropogenic sources, a fraction enters the ocean that currently is estimated to be approximately:

25% enters the ocean

(ch.9) Loss of the Acropora palmata has resulted

A loss of the 3-D, forest-like dimensional structure of reefs. Generation of lots of rubble that is progressively bio-eroded into sand.

(Almany Paper) The tagging of the fish larvae with stable barium isotopes revealed that

About 60% of larvae settled in the reef of origin

(ch.9) Which coral genus has largely been eradicated from the Caribbean in recent decades?

Acropora

(ch.6) Which of the following is a significant component occupying the reef benthos where corals or other sessile organisms are absent?

Algal Turf (Surface film)

(Lecture week 14) The spur and groove formation describes

An abundant structure of the bank reefs in the Florida Keys.

(Lecture week 11) Ahermatypic are those corals that

Are lacking symbiodinium. Have no photosynthetic requirements and can grow to great depths.

(ch.6) Which factor does not likely affect fish distribution?

Barriers, either physical or large expanses of oceans. (Local drivers and natural selection, and length of larval phase all effect fish distribution)

(Almany Paper) The optimal design of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) should

Be one in which individual MPA's are large enough so that populations within reserves can sustain themselves, yet small enough and spaced so that a proportion of larvae produced inside the MPA s exported to unprotected areas. -10km^2, spaced 15 km apart

(ch.8) The first coral disease to be studied in detail was

Black Band Disease (BBD) in the 1970's. Found in all tropical oceans, and in cooler water areas it is more prevalent during warmer seasons.

(Lecture week 11) Bioerosion can be caused by

Boring polychaetes & Boring mollusks, worms, sponges, cnidaria

(Lecture week 11) Coral reef sponges largely belong to two classes:

Calcarea (calcareous sponges) & Demospongiae (siliceous sponges, which include the vast majority of species.)

(ch. 4) An example for a symbiosis between invertebrates and vertebrates is the relationship between:

Clown fish and sea anemone.

(ch.8) One of the most serious threats to corals which results largely from increased temperatures is:

Coral Bleaching.

(Lecture week 11) Which invertebrate groups contribute significantly to the formation and growth of warm water coral reef frameworks?

Coralline Algae & Hermatypic coral.

(lecture week 9) Which gene is responsible for causing the Acropora corals to sense blue light spawn during a full moon?

Cry2 Gene

(lecture week 9) What is the benefit of a synchronized release of gametes?

Dramatically improve the success of fertilization

(ch.4) What is not a benefit between the coral-symbiodinium symbiosis?

Enhanced-carbonate dissolution

(ch.7) Which of the following is not a factor that has directly increased the pressures placed on reef environments?

Establishment of no take zones.

(ch.9) The evolutionary history of the different types/parts of coral reefs makes it so that they are largely independent on one another, each having become stable environments: (T/F)

False.

(ch.6) At the very base of the food web pyramid are the primary producers: (T/F)

False. Bacteria, benthic detritivores, and process of decomposition are at the bottom and piscivores are at the top.

(ch.9) Following the loss of many of the branching corals in the Caribbean, they were able to relatively easily make a return so long as algae didn't already occupy those areas: (T/F)

False. Even if algae don't develop, the shallow areas high energy regime means that there is a limited number of coral species that could live there anyways, and the 'liquid sandpaper' effect of the mobile sedimentation makes it near impossible for corals to grow.

(ch.7) MPA's, since they restrict fishing activities, are equally effective regardless of location of the selected area: (T/F)

False. MPA's need to be very large or exhibit considerable migration of fish from within the MPA 'spillover". MPA's are much less effective for highly mobile and migratory fish.

(Lecture ch.8) Since space is precious, coral colonies necessarily must always compete with other colonies: (T/f)

False. Contact doesn't result in bleaching or death. Instead, inter-colonial contact stimulated localized morphological changes, strengthening their skeletons.

(ch.6) Fish size is defined largely by feeding behavior: (T/F)

False. Fish size isn't defined by feeding behaviors, since carnivores can range from 10cm to 2m. Feeding behavior does influence body size in a general sense. Algal turf feeding fish commonly smaller than piscivorous predators.

(ch.8) In which two ways, physiologically, does increased sedimentation affect corals?

First, an increased turbidity decreases light penetration, reducing the corals photosynthesis and energy supply. Second, at the same time it is starved of this energy, it needs a greater amount of it to actively slough off sediment which settles onto its surface.

(Lecture ch.8) Sweeper tentacles are developed when?

Following the detection of a neighbor. Sweeper tentacles can be developed within several days to a couple of weeks.

(ch.7) Ghost fishing refers to which of the following?

Gear that has been abandoned in the environment, but which continues to capture marine organisms.

(Lecture ch.8) The speed at which branching corals grow can be balanced by the massive corals:

Gradually, the faster-growing Pocillopora (branching corals) overtops the Pavona (massive coral)

(Lecture week 14) Which habitat with corals covers the largest surface in the Florida Keys?

Hard-bottom (relatively low species diversity)

(ch.6) Parrotfish, damselfish and the blue tang are all examples of what type of fish?

Herbivores

(ch.9) The ball and valley analogy was used to illustrate what regarding shifts from a coral-dominated reef to an algal-dominated one?

Illustrates 2 different ecological states of reefs. The coral dominated reef (ball) is hard for healthy reefs to get pushed over the ledge to algae dominated valley. In the second, very severe pushes (overfishing, sewage runoff) push the ball into the algal valley and it is very difficult to make it back up out of the algal dominated valley.

(Lecture week 12) The highest reef fish diversity in the world oceans is found

In the region with the highest coral diversity (Indo-Pacific, Coral Triangle)

(ch.9) Which of the following does not likely change the coral-dominated state of reefs into an algal-dominated one?

Increase in Diadema.

(Lecture ch.8) In what two ways can corals compete for space in the reef environment?

Indirect encounters (overtopping) & direct interactions (aggression).

(Lecture week 12) Manta Rays

Large eagle rays and planktonic feeders. They are pelagic filter feeders and eat large quantities of zooplankton.

(ch.6) Species diversity of herbivore fish, relative to other fish groups, tend to be:

Less diverse* (Herbivores found in shallow waters, under the brighter conditions required for their algal food to grow.)

(ch.7) Environmentally-destructive fishing practices occur, and continue to do so, because of which factors?

Market demand, missing policies regulating fishing practices, lack of enforcing regulations, lack of understanding of the potential consequences. (all the above)

(Lecture ch.8) Mechanisms identified which corals employ against competitors include:

Mesentarial filaments, sweeper tentacles, sweeper polyps, mucous secretions, overgrowth, overtopping, and water-borne chemical competition.

(ch.4) The two most conspicuous mutualistic symbiotic relationships observed on coral reefs for corals and sponges are:

Micro-algae and Cyanobacteria

(Lecture week 11) Reef-building corals that do not belong to the Scleractinia or Hexacorallia include

Millepora, Tubipora, and Heliopora.

(Lecture week 11) Soft corals in warm water reefs include

Octocorallia, which include soft corals and sea fans, sea pens, and blue coral. Branching forms of predominate **Sacrophyton and Pseudopterogorgia are examples.**

(Lecture ch.8) Mesenteric filaments:

Originate from the mesenteries that increase the surface area for digestions inside the coral polyp. Contain nematocysts and can protrude from the mouth of the polyp. Used by slow-growing coral species for aggression and defense against faster-growing intruders.

(Mumby Paper) After mass disease-induced mortality of Diadema antillarum,

Parrotfishes have become the dominant algae grazer on most Caribbean reefs.

(Lecture week 12) Whale sharks are

Planktivores

(Lecture week 14) The Florida reef tract

Reaches from Soldier Key to the Dry Tortugas. Florida's coral reef tract extends from Fowey Rocks near Miami to the Dry Tortugas

(ch.7) Which of the following are all factors that comprise the "ecosystem fishing" situation?

Removal of too many large fish. Removal of certain species within the reef. Removal of larger fish.

(Lecture week 14) Which factors led to the evolution of different reef lines in the Florida Keys?

Sea level rise since the last glaciation.

(Grottoli Paper) In the absence of their symbionts, bleached corals must rely on alternative sources of fixed carbon to meet their energy needs and these sources include

Stored energy reserves and heterotrophy (feeding)

(ch.6) Some reef fish have a 4th photoreceptor, allowing them to see UV light

Such species may use UV wavelengths and markings for communication. UV sensitivity can also be useful for detecting zooplanktonic prey.

(Lecture ch.8) The specific chemical that soft corals can release are known as:

Terpenoid or Sarcophine compounds, which injure or impede the growth of neighboring corals.

(ch.6) Several animals on coral reefs feed on the corals, including corallivorous fish, the Drupella snail and:

The Crown of thorns starfish

(Lecture week 11) Tridacna gigas is

The Giant Clam.

(Lecture week 12) An example for a venomous fish is

The Stone Fish

(Almany Paper) When conducting a fish larvae tagging experiment in a small reef, one should consider:

The amount of larvae entering the experimental zone

(ch.9) What does the "hysteresis effect" illustrate about changing states in the environment?

The elimination of stressors does not necessarily allow for the back-tracking along the same path of change.

(Grottoli Paper) The experimental results by Grottoli suggest that

The energy reserves and heterotrophic capability of the coral host have a key and previously unassessed role in coral resilience to bleaching.

(Lecture week 12) Which factors led to the evolution of different reef fish communities and reef fish species?

The formation of barriers between major regions

(Lecture week 11) Reef rock is

The limestone rock deposited by reef organisms.

(ch.9) The mass mortality of corals observed in the Caribbean did not occur in the Indo-Pacific, however outbreaks of what has caused notable damage at various times?

The outbreak of the crown-of-thorns starfish, and of the coral-eating mollusk Drupella.

(ch.8) Boat anchoring can be very damaging to reefs when managed improperly. What is a relatively easy and practical solution to this problem?

The provision of mooring buoys. When these are attached to the substrate no further damage need occur from anchoring.

(Almany Paper) For the design of marine protected areas within a warm water coral reef environment, it is important to consider

The scale of larval dispersal of marine organisms

(ch.7) Which is not a common fishing method used in coral reefs?

The use of heavy fishing gear, such as trawls. (Electric reels, longlines, traps, and use of spears are the common methods of fishing on reefs.)

(Lecture week 12) Apex predators

They are large predators, such as reef sharks, that are critical for maintaining a healthy reef.

(Lecture week 12) Which is not an importance of reef fish?

They clear away all blue green algae

(ch.6) Many reef fish species consume and assimilate detritus, which is an important pathway for transferring energy from organic materials deposited on sedimentary and rocky substrate:

To Secondary consumers

(ch.6) Parrotfish have beak-like mouthparts for what purpose?

To consume a calcareous diet, including coral and algae.

(lecture week 9) The larval stage of many corals is motile, allowing them to spread to new locations:

True

(ch.7) Scuba diving is sometimes also used for harvesting marine life, not just for recreational purposes: (T/F)

True. Multiple invertebrate species are harvested by means of scuba divers, such as lobster.

(ch.8) One overlooked consideration is that many events and impacts are pulsed, rather than continuous: (T/F)

True. Intervals between stressful events are declining.

(Lecture ch.8) The Jamaican spiny flower coral is especially effective at outcompeting other corals: (T/F)

True. It as a superior ability to extrude mesenterial filaments over its competitors.

(ch.9) The loss of many of the Caribbean's branching corals has had a cascading effect on the surrounding areas, including:

WRONG:Loss of nursery habitat for fish and invertebrates. Alteration of current flows in adjacent areas.

(Lecture week 14) Patch reefs have:

WRONG:Relatively high diversity. (located in shallow water 3-6m) Concentrated in north Key largo, Hawk Channel between Marathon Key and Key West.

(Lecture ch.8) Overtopping as a strategy is used when:

When fast-growing corals come into contact with other coral species and kill them off by food and light deprivation.

(Mumby Paper) Because parrotfish form bycatch in fisheries and are easily targeted by commercial and recreational spear fishermen, reserves will

almost always increase the level of fish grazing within their boundaries

(Almany Paper) Before seeking suitable habitat to begin an adult life, reef fish larvae typically spend time in the pelagic environment and this pelagic phase ranges from

days to months

(Lecture week 12) Detrivore fish are those that feed on

dead organic matter (Scaridae & Acanthuridae)

(Mumby Paper) The biomass of herbivorous fishes

has been negatively correlated with macroalgal cover on a Caribbean-wide scale.

(Mumby Paper) The results of Mumby and coworkers indicate that the long-term impact of Caribbean no-take marine reservers

is enhanced grazing, a process that is key to the ecosystem functioning of coral reefs.

(ch.4) What is one important benefit from the sponge-cyanobacterial symbiosis?

production of toxic compounds, especially by the cyanobacteria, that defend the sponge from predators.

(Hoegh-Guldberg Paper) Corals may survive and recover their dinoflagellate symbionts after mild thermal stress, but typically show:

reduced growth, calcification, and fecundity and may experience greater incidences of coral disease.

(Hoegh-Guldberg Paper) Decreasing carbonate-ion concentrations in the seawater caused by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide result in

reduction of the rate of calcification in marine organisms, such as reef-building corals.

(Almany Paper) Soon after hatching, larvae are capable of

sustainable directional swimming

(Almany Paper) Retention of fish larvae in the habitat of origin may be favored if

the probability of encountering better adult habitat by dispersal is low

(Hoegh-Guldberg Paper) Given that recent and future rates of change dwarf even those of the ice age transitions, when biology at specific locations changed dramatically, it is likely that..

these changes will exceed the capacity of most organisms to adapt.