The study, based on work in the Maldives, found that parrotfish produced more than 85 per cent of the new sand-grade sediment on the reefs around these reef islands.
Reef islands are unique landforms composed entirely of sediment produced on their surrounding coral reefs.
Despite being of vital importance to island development and future maintenance, the sources of the sediment that are most important to island building, and the rates at which this sediment is produced, has remained very poorly examined.
Professor Chris Perry of the University of Exeter, lead author of the study said: "Previous research has highlighted how important parrotfish are for the general health of coral reefs, specifically because they help to control algal growth and promote coral recruitment.
"Our study quantifies another fascinating aspect of the species - the major role they can play in producing the sediment necessary to build and sustain reef islands."
They identified parrotfish as the major sand producers, as they grind up coral during feeding and, after digesting the edible content, excrete the rest as sand, a proportion of which can then be transported to adjacent island shorelines.
Professor Perry added: "Coral reef islands are considered to be among the most vulnerable landforms to climate change and especially to future sea-level rise.
"This study demonstrates the critical links that exist between the ecology of the reefs that surround these islands and the processes of sand supply.
"We provide evidence that protecting parrotfish populations, and the habitats on which they depend, is likely to be vital to ensuring a continued supply of the sediment from which these Maldivian reef islands are built."
Top image credit: Chris Perry, University of Exeter
