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Article: Research from Harvard University provide new insights into marine biology.(Report)
- Article from:
- Ecology, Environment & Conservation
- Article date:
- March 27, 2009
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According to recent research from the United States, "Although the fitness consequences of herbivory on terrestrial plants have been extensively studied, considerably less is known about how partial predation impacts the fitness of clonal marine organisms. The trophic role of Caribbean parrotfish on coral reefs is complex: while these fish are important herbivores, as corallivores (consumers of live coral tissue), they selectively graze specific species and colonies of reef-building corals."
"Though the benefits of parrotfish herbivory for reef resilience and conservation are well documented, the negative consequences of parrotfish grazing for coral reproductive ...