Species-specific patterns in corallivory and spongivory among Caribbean parrotfishes

Abstract

Parrotfishes are key herbivores on Caribbean reefs but also feed on other benthic taxa such as corals and sponges. Here, we used in situ behavioral observations to show that Caribbean parrotfishes have species-specific feeding patterns of corallivory and spongivory. Overall, Scarus guacamaia, Scarus taeniopterus, and Sparisoma viride were the most frequent corallivores while Scarus coeruleus and Sparisoma chrysopterum never fed on corals. There were differences between the two genera in the corals targeted with Sparisoma parrotfishes preying on Colpophyllia natans and Orbicella faveolata more frequently while Scarus parrotfishes were more likely to prey on Porites astreoides and Siderastrea siderea. The most frequent spongivores were Sc. guacamaia, Sc. taeniopterus, Sparisoma aurofrenatum, and Sparisoma rubripinne. Scarus guacamaia fed across multiple sponge genera while other parrotfishes primarily fed on Agelas spp. sponges. Together, our data suggest that understanding patterns in corallivory and spongivory for Caribbean parrotfishes reveal other axes of functional diversification in these important herbivorous fishes.