The lunar cycle drives variation in nocturnal brightness. For the epipelagic larvae of coral reef organisms, nocturnal illumination may have widespread and underappreciated consequences. At sea, the onset of darkness coincides with an influx of mesopelagic organisms to shallow water (i.e. ‘diel vertical migrants’) that include predators (e.g. lanternfishes) and prey (zooplankton) of zooplanktivorous coral reef larvae. Moonlight generally suppresses this influx, but lunar periodicity in the timing and intensity of nocturnal brightness may affect vertically migrating predators and prey differently. A major turnover of species occurs at sunset on the reef, with diurnal species seeking shelter and nocturnal species emerging to hunt. The hunting ability of nocturnal reef-based predators is aided by the light of the moon. Consequently, variation in nocturnal illumination is likely to shape the timing of reproduction, larval development, and settlement for many coral reef organisms. This synthesis underscores the potential importance of trophic linkages between coral reefs and adjacent pelagic ecosystems, facilitated by the diel migrations of mesopelagic organisms and the ontogenetic migrations of coral reef larvae. Research is needed to better understand the effects of lunar cycles on life-history strategies, and the potentially disruptive effects of light pollution, turbidity, and climate-driven changes to nocturnal cloud cover. These underappreciated threats may alter patterns of nocturnal illumination that have shaped the evolutionary history of many coral reef organisms, with consequences for larval survival and population replenishment that could rival or exceed other effects arising from climate change.
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March 2022
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Cover Image
Cover Image
The cover of this issue of Emerging Topics in Life Sciences (volume 6, issue 1) features a reefscape image including groups of predators (reef sharks and snappers) patrolling the reefs of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), Republic of Kiribati (photographer: Dr. Brian Zgliczynski).
Review Article|
January 12 2022
How moonlight shapes environments, life histories, and ecological interactions on coral reefs
Jeffrey S. Shima
;
1School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Correspondence: Jeffrey S. Shima (jeffrey.shima@vuw.ac.nz)
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Craig W. Osenberg;
Craig W. Osenberg
2Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, U.S.A.
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Suzanne H. Alonzo;
Suzanne H. Alonzo
3Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, U.S.A.
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Erik G. Noonburg;
Erik G. Noonburg
4No Current Affiliation, PO Box 1574, Anacortes, Washington, U.S.A.
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Stephen E. Swearer
Stephen E. Swearer
5School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
September 24 2021
Revision Received:
December 05 2021
Accepted:
December 17 2021
Online ISSN: 2397-8562
Print ISSN: 2397-8554
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society and the Royal Society of Biology
2022
Emerg Top Life Sci (2022) 6 (1): 45–56.
Article history
Received:
September 24 2021
Revision Received:
December 05 2021
Accepted:
December 17 2021
Citation
Jeffrey S. Shima, Craig W. Osenberg, Suzanne H. Alonzo, Erik G. Noonburg, Stephen E. Swearer; How moonlight shapes environments, life histories, and ecological interactions on coral reefs. Emerg Top Life Sci 14 March 2022; 6 (1): 45–56. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/ETLS20210237
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