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<p>One of the central questions in community ecology is how so many species can coexist within the same ecosystem. In coral reefs, where space is limited and competition for resources is high, this question becomes particularly compelling. In this study, we investigate how 14 species of the genus <i>Eviota</i> (small, cryptobenthic reef fishes) coexist, partition habitats, and exclude one another across three coral reefs located at increasing distances from shore in the central Red Sea. We selected the genus <i>Eviota</i> for its high species richness in the region, abundance per area, and the close phylogenetic relationships among its species. We investigated this among six distinct habitats within each reef position (distance from shore) through standardized collections. Our findings show clear partitioning among reef habitat and reefs for the most abundant and closely related species, <i>E. prasina</i>, <i>Eviota</i> sp. 1, and <i>Eviota</i> sp. 2, with minimal spatial overlap. For most species, distance from shore was the strongest predictor of density, followed by reef habitat, and in some cases, specific substrate groups. Analysis of the benthos within each collection site further revealed a spectrum of specialization: e.g., <i>Eviota punyit</i> was highly associated with massive and encrusting corals, and <i>Eviota marerubrum</i> did not show any preference. These findings provide insights into the ecological mechanisms underpinning the coexistence among closely related species and highlight the spatial variability of small fishes, and the importance of considering both fine and broad-scale habitat associations when assessing the vulnerability of cryptobenthic fishes to habitat degradation.</p>

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Fine-scale habitat partitioning among 14 species of coral reef dwarfgobies (Gobiidae: Eviota) in the Red Sea

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月6日

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  • Lucía Pombo-Ayora,
  • Viktor Nunes Peinemann,
  • Juan F. Rivera-Cifuentes,
  • Darren J. Coker,
  • Michael L. Berumen

摘要

One of the central questions in community ecology is how so many species can coexist within the same ecosystem. In coral reefs, where space is limited and competition for resources is high, this question becomes particularly compelling. In this study, we investigate how 14 species of the genus Eviota (small, cryptobenthic reef fishes) coexist, partition habitats, and exclude one another across three coral reefs located at increasing distances from shore in the central Red Sea. We selected the genus Eviota for its high species richness in the region, abundance per area, and the close phylogenetic relationships among its species. We investigated this among six distinct habitats within each reef position (distance from shore) through standardized collections. Our findings show clear partitioning among reef habitat and reefs for the most abundant and closely related species, E. prasina, Eviota sp. 1, and Eviota sp. 2, with minimal spatial overlap. For most species, distance from shore was the strongest predictor of density, followed by reef habitat, and in some cases, specific substrate groups. Analysis of the benthos within each collection site further revealed a spectrum of specialization: e.g., Eviota punyit was highly associated with massive and encrusting corals, and Eviota marerubrum did not show any preference. These findings provide insights into the ecological mechanisms underpinning the coexistence among closely related species and highlight the spatial variability of small fishes, and the importance of considering both fine and broad-scale habitat associations when assessing the vulnerability of cryptobenthic fishes to habitat degradation.