Comparison of predation on Centrostephanus rodgersii inside/outside marine reserves in eastern Tasmania

The predators of Centrostephanus rodgersii, were identified using remote video monitoring. Experiments were performed in two eastern Tasmanian regions, the Maria Island Marine Reserve (MIMR, 42° 35.26'S, 148° 3.03'E) and the Crayfish Point Research Reserve (CPRR, 42° 57.37'S, 147° 21.30'E). The impact of fishing on these predators, and ultimately on C. rodgersii, was examined by comparing survival of C. rodgersii on reefs inside no-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) (high predator biomass) relative to fished reefs (low predator biomass). The size-specific nature of predation interactions was examined in context of size-selective fishing pressures within the sea urchin's extended range.

本研究借助远程视频监测技术，鉴定了罗氏长刺海胆（Centrostephanus rodgersii）的天敌类群。实验布设于塔斯马尼亚州东部的两处区域：玛丽亚岛海洋保护区（Maria Island Marine Reserve，缩写MIMR，坐标42°35.26'S, 148°3.03'E）与小龙虾点研究保护区（Crayfish Point Research Reserve，缩写CPRR，坐标42°57.37'S, 147°21.30'E）。本研究通过对比禁捕型海洋保护区（Marine Protected Areas，缩写MPAs，该区域天敌生物量较高）内礁区与可捕捞礁区（天敌生物量较低）中罗氏长刺海胆的存活率，探究了捕捞活动对上述天敌类群、最终对罗氏长刺海胆种群的影响。此外，本研究结合该海胆扩张分布范围内的体型选择性捕捞压力背景，剖析了捕食互作的体型特异性特征。