Methods

We devised a novel coral reef core extraction method to investigate the micro-photoautotrophs that parrotfish feed on.

Chlorurus bleekeri bites

We first follow parrotfish, waiting until it bites the reef. We photograph the bite.

Using a hand drill to extract a bitecore reef sample

Next, a bitecore reef sample 2cm deep and 22mm in diameter is extracted around the bite using a hand drill.

Leica Microscope at the University of Auckland

Microscopy is used to quantify the bitecore biota, and molecular barcoding helps to refine the taxonomy of the bitecore biota.

Phylomorphospace principal components analysis biplot for trophic cranial anatomy

By examining species-specific trophic anatomy and bite core characteristics, we can understand how syntopic parrotfish species partition trophic resources.