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Species turnover and the order versus chaos controversy concerning reef fish community structure

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Abstract

Species turnover of coral reef fishes was examined on small artificial natural and coral heads. Data show that the time interval between samples has a small effect on measurements of absolute turnover but greatly affects estimates of turnover rate. Results suggest that differences between the order and chaos schools of reef fish community structure may have originated in part as an artifact of the time interval between samples. Calculated turnover rates were high and in general agreement with the MacArthur-Wilson model of island biogeography. The usefulness of island biogeographic models for understanding the dynamics of coral reef fishes is discussed.

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Bohnsack, J.A. Species turnover and the order versus chaos controversy concerning reef fish community structure. Coral Reefs 1, 223–228 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304419

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