Ecology of rocky reef fish of north-eastern New Zealand: a review

Abstract

Major biological features of the habitat, such as the distribution of macroalgae and echinoids, affect fish populations at a variety of spatial scales. These spatial patterns remain coherent over time, despite temporal variation in population densities, which can be independent of habitat structure. Demographic studies have not yet resolved whether pre- or post-settlement processes are most important in structuring reef fish populations. Feeding categories, and details of diet, prey selection, and the use of microhabitats are discussed as necessary steps toward examining the impact of fish as predators. Experimental studies have not demonstrated that either carnivores or herbivores play a major role in determining the biological structure of habitats, or in modifying prey communities. The habitat apparently has a far greater impact on fish populations than vice versa. Factors influencing patterns of distribution and abundance are likely to be species-specific. -