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Fish-seastar facilitation leads to algal forest restoration on protected rocky reefs
Galasso, N.M.; Bonaviri, C.; Di Trapani, F.; Picciotto, M.; Gianguzza, P.; Agnetta, D.; Badalamenti, F. (2015). Fish-seastar facilitation leads to algal forest restoration on protected rocky reefs. NPG Scientific Reports 5(12409): 9 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep12409
In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Galasso, N.M.
  • Bonaviri, C.
  • Di Trapani, F.
  • Picciotto, M.
  • Gianguzza, P.
  • Agnetta, D.
  • Badalamenti, F.

Abstract
    Although protected areas can lead to recovery of overharvested species, it is much less clear whether the return of certain predator species or a diversity of predator species can lead to re-establishment of important top-down forces that regulate whole ecosystems. Here we report that the algal recovery in a Mediterranean Marine Protected Area did not derive from the increase in the traditional strong predators, but rather from the establishment of a previously unknown interaction between the thermophilic fish Thalassoma pavo and the seastar Marthasterias glacialis. The interaction resulted in elevated predation rates on sea urchins responsible for algal overgrazing. Manipulative experiments and field observations revealed that the proximity of the seastars triggered an escape response in sea urchins, extending their tube feet. Fishes exploited this behavior by feeding on the exposed tube feet, thus impairing urchin movement, and making them vulnerable to predation by the seastars. These findings suggest that predator diversity generated by MPA establishment can activate positive interactions among predators, with subsequent restoration of the ecosystem structure and function through cascading consumer impacts.

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