A comparison of epifauna and epiphytes on native kelps (Laminaria species) and an invasive alga (Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides) in Nova Scotia, Canada

Schmidt, Allison L.; Scheibling, Robert Eric

doi:10.1515/bot.2006.039

Cited by 76 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 60 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Marine macroalgae are conspicuous and dominant features of temperate intertidal and subtidal ecosystems and have important direct and indirect effects on coexisting species (Schmidt and Scheibling, 2006;Gestoso et al, 2010). Macroalgae are considered ecosystem engineers because they add spatial complexity to the substratum, modulating availability of resources and can affect assemblages of associated epibiota (Schmidt and Scheibling, 2006;Gestoso et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Studies of Epiphytic Microalgae and Epiphytic Zooplankton on Seaweeds of the Eastern Harbor, Alexandria, Egypt

El-Din¹,

Shaltout²,

Nassar³

et al. 2015

American Journal of Environmental Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:A qualitative and quantitative study on the epiphytic microalgae and epiphytic zooplankton were conducted in order to follow up their community structures on seaweeds in relation to some physicochemical variables in the coastal waters of the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria. Water and macroalgal samples were collected seasonally during two years successively: Winter, summer, autumn (2012) and spring (2013). The collected seaweeds were Ulva fasciata (green alga), Corallina mediterranea, Corallina officinalis, Gelidium sp., Pterocladiella capillacea, Hypnea musciformis and Grateloupia doryphora (red algae). The studied water quality parameters were pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, oxidizable organic matter and nutrient salts. The abundance of epiphytes were significantly different between morphotypes (two-way ANOVA), p≤0.05; ranking the branched thalli as the first preference for microalgal epihytes, sheet-like thalli with a smooth surface as the second one, while the lowest rank was for the mucilaginous species. The same result was found for epiphytic zooplankton. The results of the statistics revealed insignificant seasonal variations in the epiphytic microalgae and very weak correlations between the abundance of microalgae and the physico-chemical parameters. In contrast, there were significant differences for epiphytic zooplanktonic seasonal variations. Whereas, the zooplankton count was correlated preferably with environmental water salinity, followed by nutrients.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Studies of Epiphytic Microalgae and Epiphytic Zooplankton on Seaweeds of the Eastern Harbor, Alexandria, Egypt

El-Din¹,

Shaltout²,

Nassar³

et al. 2015

American Journal of Environmental Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Previous works obtained similar results when comparing how different species of macroalgae modulated abundance, species richness and diversity of assemblages associated (Taylor and Cole 1994;Chemello and Milazzo 2002). In addition, several studies found differences in composition and structure of epifaunal assemblages associated with native and invasive macroalgal species (Wernberg et al 2004;Wikström and Kautsky 2004;Schmidt and Scheibling 2006;Harries et al 2007;Vazquez-Luis et al 2008). Here, native species supported a similar proportion of the most abundant taxa (see Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Morphology and complexity of macroalgae might also be important factors in shaping the structure of these assemblages and determining habitat choice (see Schreider et al 2003;Wernberg et al 2004;Schmidt and Scheibling 2006;Cacabelos et al 2010). For example, certain crustaceans are more abundant in branched macroalgae than in macroalgae with a foliose morphology (McDonald and Bingham 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Intertidal rocky shores on temperate latitudes are often dominated by macroalgae that harbor epifaunal assemblages of associated epibiota, i.e., epifauna and epiphytic algae (Schmidt and Scheibling 2006). In particular, epifaunal assemblages are very influenced by marine macroalgae that exist on the coast, because many invertebrates use macroalgae as a refuge from physical stress, protection from predators, and many of them are herbivores that consume epiphytic algae or the host plant itself (Duffy 1990;Bell 1991;Viejo 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Together with climate change, non-indigenous macroalgae are becoming one of the most important threats to marine biodiversity (Stachowicz et al 2002), and changes associated with these introductions may have a great impact on associated epifaunal assemblages and ecosystem processes in coastal areas (Jones et al 1997;Crooks 2002;Schmidt and Scheibling 2006). The magnitude of this effect will depend in part on the ability of epiphytic organisms and free-living epifauna to colonize non-indigenous species (Wikström and Kautsky 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Effects of macroalgal identity on epifaunal assemblages: native species versus the invasive species Sargassum muticum

2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Seaweeds are a refuge from stressful conditions associated with life on rocky intertidal shores, and there is evidence that different macrophytes support different assemblages of mobile epifauna. Introduction of nonindigenous macroalgae may have a great impact on associated epifaunal assemblages and ecosystem processes in coastal areas. Previous studies have reported conflicting evidences for the ability of epifauna to colonize nonindigenous species. Here, we analyzed epifaunal assemblages associated with three species of macroalgae that are very abundant on intertidal shores along the Galician coast: the two native species Bifurcaria bifurcata and Saccorhiza polyschides and the invasive species Sargassum muticum. We collected samples of each species from three different sites at three different times to test whether variability of epifaunal assemblages was consistent over space and time. Epifaunal assemblages differed between the three macroalgae. Results suggested that stability and morphology of habitat played an important role in shaping the structure of epifaunal assemblages. This study also showed that the invasive S. muticum offered a suitable habitat for many invertebrates.

show abstract

Biodiversity Knowledge and its Application in the Gulf of Maine Area

Incze

Lawton

Ellis

et al. 2010

Life in the World's Oceans

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A comparison of epifauna and epiphytes on native kelps (Laminaria species) and an invasive alga (Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides) in Nova Scotia, Canada

Cited by 76 publications

References 60 publications

Ecological Studies of Epiphytic Microalgae and Epiphytic Zooplankton on Seaweeds of the Eastern Harbor, Alexandria, Egypt

Ecological Studies of Epiphytic Microalgae and Epiphytic Zooplankton on Seaweeds of the Eastern Harbor, Alexandria, Egypt

Effects of macroalgal identity on epifaunal assemblages: native species versus the invasive species Sargassum muticum

Biodiversity Knowledge and its Application in the Gulf of Maine Area

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About