Photo 1 (IMAGE)

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Photo 1

Caption

A large stoplight parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) scrapes algae from the reef surface. Well-grazed reefs are more hospitable to baby corals than reefs blanketed with thick algae, and a recent study by Bigelow Laboratory scientists uncovered the importance of fish diversity to this process.

Credit

José Alejandro Alvarez

Usage Restrictions

None

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.