Epiphyte and herbivore interactions impact recruitment in a marine subtidal system
In: Aquatic Ecology. Springer: Dordrecht; London; Boston. ISSN 1386-2588; e-ISSN 1573-5125, meer
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| Trefwoorden |
Aquatic organisms > Heterotrophic organisms > Herbivores
Epibionts > Epiphytes
Population functions > Recruitment
Ceramium virgatum Roth, 1797 [WoRMS]; Lacuna vincta (Montagu, 1803) [WoRMS]; Neosiphonia harveyi (Bailey) M.-S.Kim, H.-G.Choi, Guiry & G.W.Saunders, 2001 [WoRMS]
Marien/Kust |
| Author keywords |
Lacuna vincta; Neosiphonia harveyi; Ceramium virgatum; Recruitment;Epiphytes; Herbivores |
| Auteurs | | Top |
- Rohr, N.E.
- Thornber, C.S.
- Jones, E.
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| Abstract |
Marine assemblages are influenced by the rate and timing of species settlement and recruitment. Both abiotic factors and biotic interactions can impact recruitment rates of marine species in a variety of systems. However, the impacts of species which recruit at the same time upon each other are less well understood. We investigated the relationship between the recruitment of Lacuna vincta, a small (<6 mm shell diameter) marine snail, and two species of algal epiphytes, the native Ceramium virgatum and the invasive Neosiphonia harveyi, in the shallow subtidal zone of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. All three species exhibit peak recruitment densities during two months in the summer. We found that the presence of algal epiphytes facilitates the recruitment rate of L. vincta, regardless of the epiphyte species composition. We also found a positive relationship between the number of L. vincta present and epiphyte recruitment, which is disproportionately driven by higher recruitment of N. harveyi than C. virgatum. Understanding recruitment dynamics and interactions is vital to effectively mitigate the effects of and adaptations to changes due to the establishment of non-native species. |
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