Comment on “Demographic dynamics of the smallest marine vertebrates fuel coral reef ecosystem functioning”

Abstract

Brandl et al . (Reports, 21 June 2019, p. 1189) report that cryptobenthic fishes underpin coral reef ecosystem function by contributing ~60% of “consumed fish” biomass and ~20% of production. These results are artifacts of their simulation. Using their data and model, we show that cryptobenthic species contribute less than 4% to fish production, calling into question the extent to which they contribute to the high productivity of coral reefs.