According to a recent study published by Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciencesthe new Marine ecosystem of the reefs in which the white rocks formed by dead coral causes certain species of fish they cannot identify their competitors and predators.
To carry out the work, the specialists took the fish of the family Chaetodontidaemore popularly known as butterfly fish”, due both to its bright colors and, as well, to its particular elongated fins which are very similar to the wings of a butterfly.
Thus, he performed more than 3,700 observations of 38 species of this species fish on reefs and compared their behavior before and after coral bleaching.
youAfter the coral mortality that led to bleaching, signals between fish of different species that they were not a threat were less frequent, while encounters were reinforced into chases in over 90% of cases, up from 72% before bleaching
In addition, the researchers were able to establish that the distance of these persecutions increased after the whitening and that the fish spent much more energy than before scaring off potential competitors.
“The disturbances that have occurred in recent years, such as the whiteningalter the abundance and variety of coralswhat is the main food source for butterfly fish. explained the doctor Sally Keith, lead author of the study.
“By recognizing another competing fish, butterflyfish can decide whether to intensify the fight or withdraw from it.thereby conserving energy and preventing injury. Nevertheless, these rules of engagement they evolved for a specific terrain that is now changing”, added the also tenured professor of Marine Biology at the Lancaster University, England.
While researchers aren’t clear at this time whether these fish have the ability to update their rulebook fast enough to recalibrate their decisions, they hope future studies can help them find out. understand much better the behavior of animals in the face of climate change that is affecting the planet.
“It is expected that, by the year 2050, 90% of corals will suffer from bleachingso understanding how its inhabitants are going to behave can be key to design strategies that allow the conservation of the largest number of species possible and, thus, reduce damages,” Keith concluded.
