Herbivory and Competition for Space

Brazilian coral reefs are quite singular, presenting a particular set of endemic coral species supporting the construction of reefs that diverge in form and structure from any other coralline systems. These distinctive reef formations shelter a fish herbivore functional group that is low in diversity but is composed barely of endemic species. Algal assemblages in Brazil are akin to reefs worldwide, but the coexistence with such a unique assortment of endemic species provides an interesting scenario for interactions to be studied. Conversely, we are nowhere near understanding ecological relationships in Brazilian reefs compared to the Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean. Even before reaching this objective, Brazilian coral reefs have been burdened by anthropogenic impacts common to other reefs worldwide, and these species interactions are being increasingly disrupted. The coral fauna is challenged by nutrification, increased temperature, sedimentation and turbidity, herbivore overfishing and, more recently, the invasion of exotic species. Brazilian researchers have developed copious literature, most of it undertaken in the light of these impacts. This chapter compiles some of the results of coral reef studies on herbivory and competition for space, primarily performed in the past two decades. We present these findings and briefly discuss their implications to this singular reef system.