Willis and Anderson (2003): Structure of cryptic reef fish assemblages: relationships with habitat characteristics and predator density.

Willis, T.J.; Anderson, M.J. 2003. Structure of cryptic reef fish assemblages: relationships with habitat characteristics and predator density. Marine Ecology Progress Series 257: 209–221.

The effects of reef structural complexity, kelp density, and the density of predators on assemblages of small, cryptic reef fishes were examined in northeastern New Zealand. Sampling was conducted inside and outside of a marine reserve, which acted as a high predator density treatment. There were lower densities of cryptic fishes inside the reserve, which might be explained by effects of predators. The effect of the marine reserve was strongest in the kelp forest habitat, relative to unvegetated habitats. These results imply that removal of predators by fishing may have large-scale positive effects on assemblages of small cryptic reef fishes.