Variation in herbivore grazing behavior across Caribbean reef sites

Abstract Herbivorous fish can increase coral growth and survival by grazing down algal competitors. With reefs in global decline, maintaining adequate herbivory has become a primary goal for many managers. However, herbivore biomass targets assume behavior is consistent across different reef systems, even though relatively few have been studied. We document of two scarid species Antigua, Barbuda, Bonaire. Our analyses show significant differences intraspecific feeding rates, time spent grazing, intensity sites, which may alter the ecological impact given population. suggest several hypothesized mechanisms these behavioral variations that would benefit from explicit testing future research. As managers set to enhance on reefs, it critical we understand potential impact. findings demonstrate variability sites call further investigation drivers implications inconsistencies.