Diadema and its relationship to coral spat mortality: Grazing, competition, and biological disturbance

Sammarco, Paul W.

doi:10.1016/0022-0981(80)90061-1

Cited by 358 publications

(272 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Sammarco, 1980;Sammarco and Williams, 1982). It is generally accepted that human activities are responsible for high sea urchin densities because of the removal of predators through over-fishing (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This sea urchin species, and its ability to affect ecosystems, has not yet been studied around Madeira, though it has been widely studied in the western Atlantic, where it has a great impact on benthic community structure (e.g. Sammarco et al, 1974;Sammarco, 1980Sammarco, , 1982aCarpenter, 1981Carpenter, , 1984Liddel andOhlhorst, 1986, 1992;Lessios, 1988aLessios, , b, 1995. Several studies have found that the spatial distribution of D. antillarum correlates with a number of other factors, such as the substratum type (Valdez and Villalobos, 1978), structural morphology of the reef, food availability, predation pressure (Weil et al, 1984), aggressive territorial behaviour of fishes (Sammarco and Williams, 1982), and water turbulence (Casañas et al, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Algal cover and sea urchin spatial distribution at Madeira Island (NE Atlantic)

et al. 2001

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SUMMARY: This study describes sea urchin spatial distribution in relation to environmental factors, and the relationship between Diadema antillarum density and algal abundance. Twenty-three transects around Madeira Island were surveyed by scuba divers, and sea urchin density and algal cover were determined in situ. Sampling sites along these transects were characterised in terms of distance from the tide line, water depth, substratum type, bottom declivity and water turbulence. Diadema antillarum was the dominant sea urchin species. Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula occurred at shallower depths (2-6 m), contrasting with the distribution of Sphaerechinus granularis, which occurs among D. antillarum (4-20 m). Surveys found two alternative types of communities on rocky shores: 1) a community with high algal cover and low numbers of sea urchins, along the north and south-west coasts and; 2) a community with little algal cover and high densities of sea urchins, along the south-east coast. Macroalgal cover and D. antillarum densities were inversely correlated (adjusted R 2 =75.6%; n = 429; p<0.05). The results showed that water turbulence was the most important factor limiting the distribution of D. antillarum on rocky substrates. We propose a multiple non-linear regression model (using backward stepwise analysis) to explain D. antillarum abundance on the rocky shores: D. antillarum/m 2 (√√)= 0.121 -0.209 distance from shore (in m) (√√) + 2.052 water depth (in m) (√√) -1.778 water turbulence level (√√) -0.007 water turbulence level 4 (√√); where √√ indicates data are square-root transformed (adjusted R 2 = 60.99%; n = 454; p<0.05).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Algal cover and sea urchin spatial distribution at Madeira Island (NE Atlantic)

et al. 2001

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“…Much evidence for the impact of grazers on coral reefs has been collected in experiments with the sea urchin Diadema antillarum Phhppi, and variation of grazing pressure of D. antillarum appeared to influence competition of bottom components (Wanders 1977), survival of coral recruits (Sammarco 1980) and algal community structure (Carpenter 1981, Sammarco 1982b. Cages were usually employed to control the densities of D. antrllarum in inclusion/exclusion experiments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in abundance of coral-reef bottom components related to mass mortality of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum

Steveninck¹,

Bak²

1986

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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We studied the effect of a reduction in grazing pressure, following mass mortallties of the abundant sea urchin Diadema antillarum, on coral-reef bottom components at Curaqao (Netherlands Antilles). We surveyed cover of fleshy and fllamentous algae, scleractinlan corals, crustose coralline algae, loose sediment and a miscellaneous category in permanent quadrats at depths of 27, 15 and 3 m during 1 yr. At all depths, cover of fleshy and filamentous algae increased significantly, reaching a new equhbrium. Corals, crustose corallines and/or loose sediment generally decreased in cover, but not all changes were significant. At the species level, we found the coral Agar~cia agaricites, at 15 m, to be relatively vulnerable among corals. The macroalgae Lobophora variegata and Dictyota spp. increased significantly in cover at 27 and 15 m, respectively. We expect, in view of the observed continuously low rates of recrutment of D. antillarum, and in vlew of the new equilibrium in algal cover, no rapid return to the origlnal situation, unless other herbivorous organisms will take over the role of D. anWlarum.

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“…The removal of substrata through bioerosion may also scour recently settled marine larvae, affecting the settlement and recruitment of other species (Sammarco 1980).…”

Section: Ecological Effects Of Bioerosion In the Marine Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bioerosion by grapsid crabs and littorine snails facilitate the development of tidal channels (Escapa et al 2007) and the deepening of tidepools (McLean 1967), respectively. Bioerosion by herbivorous fish, urchins, and mollusks can also reduce coral reef growth (Glynn et al 1979, Hutchings 1986) and the survivorship of coral spat (Sammarco 1980). Higher seawater temperatures has been shown to accelerate the boring and bioerosion rates of limnoriid isopods in the lab (Eltringham 1965, Borges et al 2008, shipworms (Ibrahim 1981), clionid sponges (Rutzler 2002), and parrotfish (Smith 2008).…”

Section: Chapter 4: Seawater Temperature Mediates the Biological Erosmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Erosion of Marine Habitats and Structures by Burrowing Crustaceans

Davidson¹

2000

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Marine bioeroders, borers, and burrowers can have drastic effects to marine habitats and facilities. By physically altering the structure of marine habitats, these organisms may elicit ecosystem-level effects that cascade through the community. While borer damage is typically restricted to a few substratum types, burrowing isopods in the genus Sphaeroma attack a diversity of substrata in tropical and temperate systems. My dissertation examined how boring sphaeromatid isopods affect coastal habitats (saltmarshes, mangroves) and other estuarine substrata as well as marine structures. I used a combination of lab and mensurative field experiments to quantify the effects of boring by isopods and examine how select factors affect the colonization, hence burrowing damage by isopods. I explored these questions primarily using the temperate To examine the small-scale factors that mediate colonization and boring, I conducted a series of binary choice experiments. I found the presence of conspecifics, biofilm, and shade were important factors influencing colonization. These small scale factors likely explain why isopod attack is focused in some substrata. Finally, to examine the boring effects of tropical isopods in mangroves, I examined the associations between burrowing by S. terebrans and mangrove performance and fecundity. I found negative relationships between boring effects and performance and fecundity in two mangrove species in a restored mangrove stand in Taiwan. Together, these studies elucidate the effects of bioerosive isopods on saltmarshes, mangroves, and marine structures. However, the similar mechanisms involved in bioerosion in other boring species suggest that these results can be used to infer similar effects of other borers. In addition, since many species of sphaeromatid isopods have been introduced, this research shows how the effects of a non-native bioeroder can damage marine facilities and degrade and alter marine habitats.Through biological erosion and thus changing the physical structure of a marine habitat these non-native species can have ecosystem-level effects that cascade throughout the local community.iii Acknowledgements

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Diadema and its relationship to coral spat mortality: Grazing, competition, and biological disturbance

Cited by 358 publications

References 23 publications

Algal cover and sea urchin spatial distribution at Madeira Island (NE Atlantic)

Algal cover and sea urchin spatial distribution at Madeira Island (NE Atlantic)

Changes in abundance of coral-reef bottom components related to mass mortality of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum

Biological Erosion of Marine Habitats and Structures by Burrowing Crustaceans

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