Bioerosion of corals and the influence of damselfish territoriality: A preliminary study

Samples of the staghorn coral Acropora were taken from within territories defende by damselfish (Pisces: Pomacentridae) and from undefended areas. The fish utilized in this experiment were Hemiglyphidodon plagiometopon Bleeker and Pomacentrus bankanensis Bleeker. The extent of bioerosion was determined by randomly selecting pieces of coral substrate from treatment and control areas, cutting transverse sections, and determining total eroded area …