Electronic Supplementary Material
Fig. E5.1 All partial dependence functions of the abiotic and biotic variables (maximum of 14) versus (a) number of species at all sites, (b) total fish density at all sites, (c) Shannon diversity at all sites, (d) Phaeoptyx conklini density at all sites, (e) Stathmonotus stahli density at all sites, (f) Coryphopterus tortugae density at all sites, (g) number of species at reefal sites only, and (h) total fish density at reefal sites only
(a)
In addition to the patterns described in the main text, the number of species is highest in relatively sheltered areas, but not in calm water. As described for P. conklini and S. stahli in the main text, this is presumably linked to the effects of exposure on swimming performance and indirect effects on benthic communities. The number of species increases with increasing complexity, as previously documented for many fish assemblages. The number of species appears to be reduced by medium to low densities of damselfishes, and high areal coverage of bedrock with fishes presumably avoiding low relief, bedrock areas.
(b)
(c)
In addition to the patterns described in the main text, the diversity of cryptobenthic fish assemblages in decreased in exposed areas. As described for P. conklini and S. stahli in the main text, this is presumably linked to the effects of exposure on swimming performance and indirect effects on benthic communities. Diversity increases with increasing complexity, as previously documented for many fish assemblages. Diversity increases slightly when gorgonians are present, presumably because of the increased number of specialist species (see Discussion in main text). The density of damselfish has a negligible effect.
(d)
In addition to the patterns described in the main text, there is some evidence that the density of P. conklini is decreased by high densities of territorial damselfishes. These fishes also appear to favour high complexity areas, with modest algal cover, high areal cover of live coral and sand, and low cover of dead coral and bedrock. Algal height has a negligible effect.
(e)
In addition to the patterns described in the main text, there is some evidence that S. stahli favours habitats with high areal cover of live coral, sand, and bedrock, and more complex areas with modest algal cover. The cover of cobbles has a negligible effect.
(f)
In addition to the patterns described in the main text, there is some evidence that the density of C. tortugae is increased by high densities of territorial damselfishes, perhaps because C. tortugae is not a direct competitor with damselfish and seeks refuge within their territories. C. tortugae also appears to favour habitats with low cover of low rugosity bedrock and low exposure. As described for P. conklini and S. stahli in the main text, this is presumably linked to the effects of exposure on swimming performance and indirect effects on benthic communities.
(g)
In addition to the patterns described in the main text, there is some evidence that the number of species on reef habitats is increased by high reef complexity, as documented for many fish assemblages, moderate algal cover, and low to medium live coral cover. The number of species is low when areal cover of bedrock is low, reflecting soft-bottom areas with low complexity.
(h)
In addition to the patterns described in the main text, there is some evidence that the total density of fish on reef habitats is reduced by medium densities of territorial damselfishes, high reef complexity, high cover of bedrock, and moderate algal cover.
Fig. E5.2 Effects of the most important interactions for (a) Phaeoptyx conklini density at all sites and (b) Stathmonotus stahli density at all sites. In each panel, first plot is without the interaction, the second plot is with the interaction
(a)
These plots suggest that both live coral cover and predator densities have a greater negative effect on densities of Phaeoptyx conklini at sites with medium complexity.
(b)
These plots suggest that wave exposure has a greater negative effect on densities of Phaeoptyx conklini at sites with high areal cover of dead coral.