title: The Ecological Role of Sharks on Coral Reefs.
abstract: Sharks are considered the apex predator of coral reefs, but the consequences of their global depletion are uncertain. Here we explore the ecological roles of sharks on coral reefs and, conversely, the importance of reefs for sharks. We find that most reef-associated shark species do not act as apex predators but instead function as mesopredators along with a diverse group of reef fish. While sharks perform important direct and indirect ecological roles, the evidence to support hypothesised shark-driven trophic cascades that benefit corals is weak and equivocal. Coral reefs provide some functional benefits to sharks, but sharks do not appear to favour healthier reef environments. Restoring populations of sharks is important and can yet deliver ecological surprise.
authors.affiliation: Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. Electronic address: g.roff@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roff
authors.affiliation: Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doropoulos
authors.affiliation: Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Yves-Marie
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Bozec
authors.affiliation: Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Nils C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Krueck
authors.affiliation: Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aurellado
authors.affiliation: Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Priest
authors.affiliation: Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Chico
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Birrell
authors.affiliation: Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. Electronic address: p.j.mumby@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mumby
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa; D057894:Coral Reefs; D004463:Ecology; D005399:Fishes; D012754:Sharks