galea predator options, and new fish populations that may provide clues to hidden coral reef dynamics. galea, providing new data to potential C. Specifically, regarding important coral to snail relationships that may be aiding in settlement cues for C. Ultimately this study aided in understanding coral reef ecosystem dynamics and introduced new possible associations. galea densities possibly indicating that either their predators are absent and/or that higher damselfish damage from “farming” on coral reefs attracts snails. There was a positive relationship observed between damselfish and C. Fish densities did not reveal any additional significant associations except when analyzing Pomacentridae (damselfish). galea without size preference, it is still unclear to what extent in a wild setting this occurs. galea was examined in a controlled aquarium setting and revealed that while they will consume C. Yet, there has been little empirical evidence in natural ecosystems to support this hypothesis.
Their foraging behavior and level of interest of feeding on C. Trophic cascade theory predicts that predator effects should extend to influence carbon cycling in ecosystems. argus were too low to test its effect on snail densities. galea populations despite these two corals not being a common food source. Porites astreoides and Diploria labyrinthiformis coral cover also showed significance when analyzed individually to C. faveolata and negatively associated to the density of Porites astreoides. galea was positively associated to the density of Orbicella annularis and O. Reef coral cover was inversely related to depth and directly related to C. galea numbers, and numbers of potential predators of this corallivorous snail. To do so, Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessments (AGRRA) were conducted on a series of twenty Bahamian reefs to assess coral and other benthic cover, C. galea indirectly affect coral cover via their impacts on snail densities. galea and evaluated how concentrations of potential predators relate to snail densities, and how predators of C. Specifically, I determined if and to what extent spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus, naturally prey on C. galea have on coral reef ecosystems, I assessed the relationships between the snails, their potential predators, and coral cover. galea is relatively well understood, the limited information on its predators prevents a complete understanding of predator-snail-coral relationships, which limits proper protection and conservation of coral reef ecosystems. The corallivorous muricid snail, Coralliophila galea, has been documented to have a strong negative impact on Caribbean coral reefs, including curtailing reef recovery following other stressors. However, their effects on reef ecosystems are difficult to distinguish from the multiple anthropogenic stressors currently affecting reefs. Corallivores are understood to be ecologically important.