Density-dependent predation of coral larvae by planktivorous reef fish following spawning events

This dataset contains information about the feeding behaviours of a common reef dwelling planktivore (Chromis spp.) when exposed to coral larvae. Trials were conducted on Heron Island in 2021 and 2022 with Chromis atripectoralis and Chromis viridis, and A. cf. nasuta and A. cf. spathulata coral larvae. \nFish were exposed to different densities of coral larvae (1, 3, 5 per treatment) and were given these larvae with and without their normal plankton diet (i.e. copepods). Trials in 2021 consisted of two fish densities (1 fish and 5 fish), but trials in 2022 were only run with 5 fish per treatment group to replicate the smaller sized schools that may be found in a given reef environment.\nExperiments were conducted in closed system tanks with black film around all but one side to create contrast and optimise visualisation of predator/prey interactions. Larvae (and plankton) were pipetted into each tank in randomised orders and locations to minimise biases of the results due to potential learned behaviours by the fish. GoPro videos were also taken to document fish interactions and consumption tendencies. \n\nAccess:\nMetadata is fully public. Data files will be made fully public once the research has been published.\nFor special requests, please directly contact the Data Custodian and CC the Project Leader.\n\nLineage: NA – the dataset is the raw dataset prior to cleaning. It contains all necessary information to conduct cleaning by the user.

本数据集记录了栖息于珊瑚礁的常见浮游食性鱼类（planktivore）——光鳃鱼属（Chromis spp.）——在接触珊瑚幼虫时的摄食行为信息。2021年至2022年，研究团队于赫伦岛（Heron Island）开展相关试验，试验对象包括黑鳍光鳃鱼（Chromis atripectoralis）、蓝绿光鳃鱼（Chromis viridis），以及A. cf. nasuta与A. cf. spathulata类群的珊瑚幼虫。
试验中，鱼类被置于不同密度的珊瑚幼虫环境中，每组处理设置1、3、5只幼虫的密度梯度，并分别采用两种饲喂方案：仅投喂珊瑚幼虫，或珊瑚幼虫与鱼类常规浮游饵料（桡足类 (Copepods)）混合饲喂。2021年的试验设置了两种鱼类密度（单尾鱼与5尾鱼），而2022年的试验仅采用每组5尾鱼的设置，以模拟珊瑚礁生境中可能出现的小型鱼群规模。
本试验采用封闭系统水族箱开展，除一面外其余各面均包覆黑色薄膜以营造明暗对比，优化捕食者-猎物相互作用的可视化效果。研究人员以随机顺序与投放位置，使用移液管将珊瑚幼虫（及浮游饵料）注入各水族箱，以尽可能降低鱼类因习得行为而导致的试验结果偏差。此外，研究人员使用GoPro摄像机录制视频，记录鱼类的相互行为与摄食倾向。
获取方式：
元数据 (Metadata) 完全公开。待研究成果正式发表后，数据集文件将同步公开。如有特殊获取需求，请直接联系数据管理员 (Data Custodian) 并抄送项目负责人 (Project Leader)。
数据集谱系：无（NA）——本数据集为清洗前的原始数据集，包含用户开展数据清洗所需的全部必要信息。