Structure of the marine invertebrate scavenging guild of a tropical reef ecosystem: field studies at Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia

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Abstract
The structure of the marine invertebrate scavenging guild of a tropical reef ecosystem is investigated here. Baited traps were used as a selective sampling device, focusing attention upon organisms < 2 cm in transverse section. Results show that this component of the scavenging guild is very diverse, consisting of 108 species, several of which are extremely abundant. The distribution of the common species varied between reef and sediment habitats. The composition of the guild is fundamentally different from the equivalent guild in cooler waters (such as the polar and deep seas) because of the importance of cirolanid isopods, cypridinid ostracodes and nassariid gastropod molluscs, rather than lysianassoid amphipods. The diversity of members of the guild is interpreted as a reflection of the diversity of habitats and the dynamic environmental conditions of coral reef ecosystems. It is suggested that similar guild structures occur in other tropical and temperate areas. It is also apparent that small marine invertebrates play a more important role as scavengers in tropical areas than previously reported.