Ecology Summary - Microspathodon dorsalis
Ecology of Microspathodon dorsalis
 
Main Ref. Grove, J.S. and R.J. Lavenberg, 1997
Remarks Inhabits rocky reefs, below the surf zone (Ref. 9334). Feeds mainly on low-profile, attached algae (Ref. 28023). Defends both feeding and reproductive territories by driving off other fishes and divers who come too close (Ref. 28023). Territorial herbivore that feeds on farmed turf-algae within their territories (Ref. 57615); and depends on a delicate, nutritionally rich food resource exhibiting low standing crop but very high productivity, example is red alga, Polysiphonia sp. (Ref. 56916).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Microspathodon dorsalis may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Hard Bottom: rocky;
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats Coral Reefs;
Special habitats Ref. Nguyen, N.T. and V.Q. Nguyen, 2006

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

Feeding

Feeding type mainly plants/detritus (troph. 2-2.19)
Feeding type Ref. Grove, J.S. and R.J. Lavenberg, 1997
Feeding habit grazing on aquatic plants
Feeding habit Ref. Dominici-Arosemena, A. and M. Wolff, 2006
Trophic Level(s)
Estimation method Original sample Unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 2.10 0.05 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
(e.g. 9948)
(e.g. oophagy)
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