Reef Fish Biology

Research is presently focused in three areas:

1. (i)

   The biology of pre-settlement stages of reef fishes with an emphasis on their developmental biology and behaviour;

2. (ii)

   post-settlement stages with a focus on species and habitat interactions and determinants of reef fish assemblage structure and

3. (iii)

   functional biology and the evolution of reef fishes. There is a current emphasis on herbivorous reef fishes, reflecting their abundance and functional importance in coral reef environments.

On-going Research Programs:

Evolution of coral reef fishes:Professor David .R. Bellwood.

Herbivory and gut function in reef fishes: Professor David .R. Bellwood and Professor J.Howard Choat .

Reef fish habitat interactions: Professor Geoff.P. Jones.

Gene flow and life histories of reef fishes: Dr Lynne van Herwerden.

Interactions between piscivorous coral reef fishes and their prey: Professor Geoff.P Jones.

Life history and age-based demographic studies in coral reef fishes:

Professor J.Howard Choat, Professor Michael J. Kingsford and Dr Phil Munday.