This book summarizes what is known about mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) geographically and by major taxa. MCEs are characterized by light-dependent corals and associated communities typically found at depths ranging from 30-40 m. and extending to over 150 m. in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. They are populated with organisms typically associated with shallow coral reefs, such as macroalgae, corals, sponges, and fishes, as well as specialist species unique to mesophotic depths. During the past decade, there has been an increasing scientific and management interest in MCEs expressed by the exponential increase in the number of publications studying this unique environment. Despite their close proximity to well-studied shallow reefs, and the growing evidence of their importance, our scientific knowledge of MCEs is still in its early stages. The topics covered in the book include: regional variation in MCEs; similarities and differences between mesophotic and shallow reef taxa, biotic and abiotic conditions, biodiversity, ecology, geomorphology, and geology; potential connectivity between MCEs and shallow reefs; MCE disturbances, conservation, and management challenges; and new technologies, key research questions/knowledge gaps, priorities, and future directions in MCE research.

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the ecology of coral reef fishes presented by top researchers from North America and Australia. Immense strides have been made over the past twenty years in our understanding of ecological systems in general and of reef fish ecology in particular. Many of the methodologies that reef fish ecologists use in their studies will be useful to a wider audience of ecologists for the design of their ecological studies. Significant among the impacts of the research on reef fish ecology are the development of nonequilibrium models of community organization, more emphasis on the role of recruitment variability in structuring local assemblages, the development and testing of evolutionary models of social organization and reproductive biology, and new insights into predator-prey and plant-herbivore interactions.

The Encyclopedia of Insects is a comprehensive work devoted to all aspects of insects, including their anatomy, physiology, evolution, behavior, reproduction, ecology, and disease, as well as issues of exploitation, conservation, and management. Articles provide definitive facts about all insects from aphids, beetles and butterflies to weevils and yellowjackets. Insects are beautiful and dreadful, ravenous pests and devastating disease vectors, resilient and resistant to eradication, and the source of great benefit and great loss for civilization. Important for ecosystem health, they have infl.

Draws on contributions from leading researchers to deliver a comprehensive overview of the latest knowledge on coral reef fishes.

"Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are light-dependent communities of corals, algae, sponges, and other organisms that exist at depths between approximately 30 m to 150 m. Little known until recently and understudied relative to shallower reefs, MCEs may contain significant coral reef ecosystem resources, including both luxuriant coral reefs and diverse fish communities. Research in the Pacific Islands Region over the last few years has produced data to facilitate a better awareness of the distribution and potential significance of MCEs, but they are still relatively unknown and remain absent from most coral reef ecosystem monitoring programs and management considerations. We synthesize results of research to map the distribution of benthic habitats and communities at mesophotic depths within the region and discuss them within the context of requirement to identify and manage essential fish habitat for managed species mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act"--Abstract.

Reef fish community structure and habitat associations are well documented for shallow coral reefs (20m) but are largely unknown in deeper extensions of reefs (mesophotic reefs; 30m). We examined reef fish community structure and benthic composition at depth intervals from 3-40m in West Hawaii. Reef fish species richness and abundance peaked between 12-20m. Fish community structure changed slowly with depth, with more than 85% of species observed at mesophotic depths also found in shallow reef habitats. Depth-related differences appear to be linked more closely with species' feeding behavior than with taxonomic structure, as the relative abundance of herbivorous fishes decreased and planktivorous fishes increased with depth. More than 51% of the variation in reef fish community structure was explained by depth, while only 17% was explained by differences in sites, indicating depth plays a predominant role in structuring communities. Habitat analyses show that coral cover peaks from 12-20m and deeper depths are dominated by sand and macroalgal cover. Peaks in coral cover correspond with peaks in reef fish richness and density, suggesting that changes in community composition with depth are likely a result of habitat structure and availability.

Coral reefs are increasingly under threat, necessitating an emphasis to identify coral reefs with reduced susceptibilities to local and/or global anthropogenic impacts. Mesophotic coral reefs (MCEs; >30m) are proposed as potential refugia and/or propagule sources, yet little information is known about deep reefs' abilities to harbor, replenish, or conserve shallow species. In this dissertation, I examine the plausibility of MCEs to act as refugia for shallow reef fishes in the Hawaiian Islands. Chapter One explores reef fish community structure and habitat composition along a 3-50m gradient in West Hawai'i. Reef fish communities change gradually with depth, with >78% of species observed at mesophotic depths (>30m) found at shallow depths. Changes in community structure are linked closely with feeding behavior, with shallow reefs dominated by herbivores, while mesophotic reefs are dominated by invertivore and planktivore trophic assemblages. Changes in fish assemblages are tied to indirect effects of depth and available coral habitat, as deeper reefs contain more patchily-distributed habitat. Chapter Two examines mechanisms underlying herbivorous fish distributions using a suite of observational and experimental field and laboratory techniques. Herbivorous fishes are not limited by food resources at MCE depths, as MCE algae had similar nutritional content, species assemblages, and appears to be highly palatable from algal choice experiments. Instead, changes with depth are likely the result of top-down, non-consumptive predation effects and behavioral choices. Chapter Three undertakes a critical analysis of the deep refugia hypothesis for coral reef fishes across the Main Hawaiian Islands. Upper MCEs (30-60m) may act as refugia for shallow reef fishes, as we found they are more thermally stable and >70% of reef fishes encountered were shallow species. Conversely, MCEs contain reduced densities of reef fishes and communities are comprised almost solely of invertivore and planktivore trophic groups. The near-absence of herbivorous fishes below 30m indicate MCEs will have a limited capacity to re-seed shallow reefs with species of ecological or economic importance. Overall, MCEs may act as refugia for biodiversity conservation but their ability to restock shallow reef fish communities will result in fundamentally different community compositions that shift towards smaller-bodied and less economically/ecologically valuable species.

Coral reefs represent the most spectacular and diverse marine ecosystem on the planet as well as a critical source of income for millions of people. However, the combined effects of human activity have led to a rapid decline in the health of reefs worldwide, with many now facing complete destruction. Their world-wide deterioration and over-exploitation has continued and even accelerated in many areas since the publication of the first edition in 2009. At the same time, there has been a near doubling in the number of scientific papers that have been written in this short time about coral reef biology and the ability to acclimate to ocean warming and acidification. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated, incorporating the significant increase in knowledge gained over the last decade whilst retaining the book's focus as a concise and affordable overview of the field. The Biology of Coral Reefs provides an integrated overview of the function, physiology, ecology, and behaviour of coral reef organisms. Each chapter is enriched with a selection of 'boxes' on specific aspects written by internationally recognised experts. As with other books in the Biology of Habitats Series, the emphasis in this book is on the organisms that dominate this marine environment although pollution, conservation, climate change, and experimental aspects are also included. Indeed, particular emphasis is placed on conservation and management due to the habitat's critically endangered status. A global range of examples is employed which gives the book international relevance.

Advances in Marine Biology has been providing in-depth and up-to-date reviews on all aspects of marine biology since 1963--over 40 years of outstanding coverage! The series is well known for its excellent reviews and editing. Now edited by Michael Lesser (University of New Hampshire, USA) with an internationally renowned Editorial Board, the serial publishes in-depth and up-to-date content on many topics that will appeal to postgraduates and researchers in marine biology, fisheries science, ecology, zoology, and biological oceanography. Volumes cover all areas of marine science, both applied and basic, a wide range of topical areas from all areas of marine ecology, oceanography, fisheries management and molecular biology and the full range of geographic areas from polar seas to tropical coral reefs. AMB volumes solicit and publish review articles on the latest advances in marine biology Many of the authors of these review articles are the leading figures in their field of study and the material is widely used by managers, students and academic professionals in the marine sciences