Incidence of fish predation on stony corals at four atolls of the archipelago of San Andres and Provldencia (Colombian Caribbean)

Abstract

Based on data recorded tn 1994 and 1995dunng a baseline study carriod out at lour western Canbfcean atolls (AJbuquorque, Courtown, Roncador and Serrana) of the San Andres arid Providencia archipelago, the incidence of hard coral predation by fishes and rts relation with the abundance d1 the parrotlishes Sp&nsoma vtrido and Scarvs votuta was analyzod. Among atfectod corals, MontastraM annularis and M. favooiata showed the highest tnodence of fish bftes (29.5% and 18.7% respectively). There were no significant differences between the atolls on the Incidence ot coral predation by ftshes (KruskaH-WaJlis, p w 0.07). When comparing between goomorphologic units the lagoon showod the highest levoi oi predation (14.3%), and also the largest populations of S- vinde and S. vetula, but both parameters were not significantly related. Hsghest predatory incidence and parrotf ish abundance in the lagoon could be related to the dominance of the MontAStra68 spp. complex in this environment, because these coral species have been recognised.