Academic Journal
The theory of island biogeography and the stability of oceanic reef fish communities.
| Title: | The theory of island biogeography and the stability of oceanic reef fish communities. |
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| Authors: | Nogueira EJ; Department of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil.; Post-graduate Program in Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil., Mellin C; The Environment Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia., Ferreira CEL; Fluminense Federal University, Niteroi, Brazil., Pinheiro HT; Department of Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil. |
| Source: | Journal of fish biology [J Fish Biol] 2026 Jun; Vol. 108 (6), pp. 2041-2052. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Feb 22. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0214055 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1095-8649 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00221112 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Fish Biol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2003- : Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Original Publication: London, New York, Published for the Fisheries Society of the British Isles by Academic Press. |
| MeSH Terms: | Fishes* , Coral Reefs* , Islands* , Biodiversity*, Animals ; Population Dynamics |
| Abstract: | Reef fish assemblages on oceanic islands offer valuable insights into ecological and evolutionary processes, yet their temporal dynamics remain poorly understood. This study evaluates the theory of island biogeography (TIB) with long-term ecological monitoring to assess how island area, isolation from nearest reef and distance from mainland shape both species richness and stability across four southwestern Atlantic islands. Data were collected via underwater visual censuses from 2006 to 2011 and annually thereafter. A total of 3634 transects were conducted, recording over 150 fish species. Spatial β diversity was quantified using Sørensen and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity indices. Results indicate that larger islands, with greater habitat heterogeneity, support higher species richness and exhibit increased assemblage dissimilarity but reduced variability, suggesting a buffering effect against compositional shifts. Temporal analyses revealed that species turnover is the primary driver of annual changes in assemblage composition, with distinct patterns emerging according to island size. Isolation is significantly associated with lower temporal β diversity, whereas larger reef areas promote more dynamic shifts in assemblage structure. These findings provide empirical support for TIB, emphasizing that both island area and isolation are key factors influencing the richness and stability of reef fish assemblages. Long-term monitoring, although scarce in the marine realm, is essential for capturing these complex dynamics and informing conservation strategies in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures on unique insular marine ecosystems. (© 2026 The Author(s). Journal of Fish Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Fisheries Society of the British Isles.) |
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| Grant Information: | 441327/2020-6 CNPq; 310219/2023-0 CNPq; FAPESP 2023/12551-3 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; 2021/07039-6 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo; 2019/24215-2 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: ecological monitoring; geographic isolation; oceanic islands; population dynamics; reef fish; temporal analyses |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260223 Date Completed: 20260712 Latest Revision: 20260813 |
| Update Code: | 20260813 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13357251 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jfb.70367 |
| PMID: | 41725306 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1095-8649 |
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| DOI: | 10.1111/jfb.70367 |