Differences in fish herbivory among tropical and temperate seaweeds and annual patterns in kelp consumption influence the tropicalisation of temperate reefs

Abstract

Climate change is leading to novel species interactions and profoundly altering ecosystems. In marine systems, tropical and subtropical species are increasing in higher latitudes. This has been linked to the deforestation of temperate coastlines, as direct effects of ocean warming combine with increased herbivory from tropical and sub-tropical fishes and lead to the decline of canopy-forming kelp. Here, we tested the hypothesis that this deforestation may be facilitated by greater palatability of temperate kelp and other canopy seaweeds compared to tropical taxa. We used multiple-choice filmed feeding field experiments and chemical analyses to measure the palatability of temperate and tropical seaweeds from Tosa Bay (southeastern Japan) and we used single-species feeding assays to measure changes in consumption of the kelp Ecklonia cava throughout the year. We found no evidence that temperate seaweeds are more palatable to herbivorous fish. In the multiple-choice assays, consumption was concentrated on both tropical and temperate Sargassum species, which are ephemeral and peak in abundance in the spring/early summer. Consumption of the kelp Ecklonia cava peaked during the autumn, when Sargassum species are absent. The highest levels of kelp herbivory coincide with the reproductive season for E. cava and may contribute to the long-term decline of these kelp forests in southern Japan.