Early-faunal colonization patterns of discrete habitat units: A case study with rhodolith-associated vagile macrofauna

Otero‐Ferrer, Francisco; Mannarà, E.; Cosme, M.; Falace, Annalisa; Montiel–Nelson, Juan A.; Espino, Fernando; Haroun, Ricardo; Tuya, Fernando

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2018.11.020

Cited by 36 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…In our study, smaller colonies were observed on rhodolith seabeds than on rocky reefs. The former habitat, in the study area, is under the influence of strong tidal currents (Otero-Ferrer et al 2019), which fits the observation of Gili and Hughes (1995). On the other hand, in the study area, seagrass meadows are always located in semi-enclosed areas protected from strong currents and swells (Fabbri et al 2015).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Widespread demographic explosion of a non-indigenous hydrozoan on an oceanic island

et al. 2020

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The arrival of non-indigenous species into new areas is one of the main processes altering the oceans globally. Macrorhynchia philippina is a large-sized colonial hydrozoan of an invasive nature. To obtain a deeper understanding of the process of colonization of new areas, it is essential to describe the ecological pattern through scales of temporal and spatial variation. In this study, we describe the colonization by M. Philippina of an oceanic island (Gran Canaria Island, Canary Islands, eastern Atlantic). We describe the abundance and size structure patterns of M. Philippina in three nearshore habitats, rocky reefs, seagrass meadows and rhodolith seabeds, at times before (2014), during (2016) and after (2017) the demographic explosion of this species. On rocky reefs and rhodolith seabeds, the abundance of colonies increased dramatically in 2017 relative to 2014, e.g. from 0 to 138 colonies/100 m2. On seagrass meadows, however, the colonies were smaller. In summary, M. Philippina shows an ecological plasticity to rapidly colonize different types of nearshore habitats, but with varying success.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Widespread demographic explosion of a non-indigenous hydrozoan on an oceanic island

et al. 2020

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“…RBs are ecosystem engineers, which create 3D biogenic habitats [ 1 ] for epiphytes and benthic invertebrates (both epifauna and infauna) [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], supporting higher species richness than nearby sedimentary habitats [ 3 , 4 , 19 , 20 ]. They provide critical ecosystem services, being settlement sites and nursery grounds for species of commercial interest [ 4 , 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and Characterization of Deep Rhodolith Beds off the Campania coast (SW Italy, Mediterranean Sea)

Rendina

Kaleb

Caragnano

et al. 2020

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Rhodolith beds (RBs) are bioconstructions characterized by coralline algae, which provide habitat for several associated species. Mediterranean RBs are usually located in the mesophotic zone (below 40 m), and thus are frequently remote and unexplored. Recently, the importance and vulnerability of these habitats have been recognized by the European Community and more attention has been drawn to their investigation and conservation. This study reports the results of an extensive monitoring program, carried out within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC), in six sites off the Campania coast (Italy, Mediterranean Sea). New insights were given into the distribution, cover, vitality (i.e., live/dead rhodolith ratio), structural complexity, and coralline algae composition of RBs. Remotely operated vehicles (ROV) investigations allowed the description of several RBs, and the discovery of a RB with rhodolith cover >65% offshore the Capri Island. Only two sites (Secchitiello and Punta Campanella) showed a very low mean cover of live rhodoliths (<10%); hence, not being classifiable as RBs. The collected rhodoliths were mostly small pralines (~2 cm), spheroidal to ellipsoidal, with growth-forms ranging from encrusting/warty to fruticose/lumpy. Coralline algae identification revealed a high diversity within each bed, with a total of 13 identified taxa. The genus Lithothamnion dominated all sites, and Phymatolithon calcareum and Lithothamnion corallioides, protected by the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), were detected in all RBs.

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“…Rhodoliths represent an important tridimensional, biogenic environment (Nelson, 2009;Otero-Ferrer et al, 2018), being known as "bioengineers" or "habitat modifiers" (Bruno & Bertness, 2001). They provide shelter and food for a large diversity of benthic invertebrates (Riul, Lacouth, Pagliosa, Christoffersen, & Horta, 2009;Amado-Filho & Pereira-Filho, 2012).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Previous work across the world has recurrently highlighted that this habitat holds a large diversity and quantities of marine invertebrates (e.g. Bosence, 1979;Giménez-Casalduero, Rodríguez-Ruiz, Vivas, & Ramos-Esplá, 2001;Hinojosa-Arango & Riosmena-Rodríguez, 2004;Metri, 2006;Prata, Costa, Manso, Crispim, & Christoffersen, 2017;Otero-Ferrer et al, 2018), revealing the importance of these habitats as refuge sites for the young stages of mollusks and several commercial fishing stocks (Riosmena-Rodríguez et al, 2017). Rhodoliths may thus be considered hotspots of biodiversity.…”

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Is tourism affecting polychaete assemblages associated with rhodolith beds in Northeastern Brazil?

Costa

Silva²,

Silva

et al. 2019

RBT

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ABSTRACT. Introduction: Rhodoliths are biogenic structures distributed worldwide, formed by several types of calcareous algae. They may host a great diversity of marine invertebrates, among which polychaetes are conspicuous and diversified representatives. Rhodolith beds are notwithstanding vulnerable to several human activities (e.g. exploitation of commercial species associated with rhodoliths, petroleum exploration, fishing activities, effluent discharges, and tourism), which may compromise that diversity. Tourism is presently increasing its impact on rhodolith beds. Global warming and ocean acidification are also determinant factors in faunal change. Objective: to analyse the polychaete assemblages associated with rhodolith beds subject to different intensities of touristic pressure at Seixas Beach (NE Brazil), where tourism is gradually increasing over time. Methods: Effects were evaluated at two depths, 1.5 m and 4.0 m. Sampling was done every two months during 2015, encompassing the two marked seasons of the year in the region (rainy and dry). Quadrats of 15 x 15 cm were placed in each depth during sampling. All rhodoliths present within the quadrat were collected (usually four to five rhodoliths). Our hypothesis was that the deeper depth and the samples from the dry season months would be increasingly subject to the impact of tourism. Results: Overall, 49 species were found (from 21 different families), and a total of 733 individuals were collected. The most abundant species was Eunice wasinensis (280 individuals, 38.2% of total abundance). The species Eurythoe complanata, Eunice biannulata, E. wasinensis, Lysidice ninetta, Oxydromus pugettensis and Ceratonereis (Ceratonereis) singularis appeared in all months. The study detected a tendency for higher diversity to occur at the depth of 1.5 m for all indices, but only the Shannon-Wiener values were significantly higher there (p < 0.05). No clear differences were found regarding months or season. Conclusions: These results suggest that a higher potential pressure due to tourism may occur at 4.0 m due to more intense craft shipping activities (traffic of catamaran boats transporting tourists to and from the reefs) in that area.

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Early-faunal colonization patterns of discrete habitat units: A case study with rhodolith-associated vagile macrofauna

Cited by 36 publications

References 69 publications

Widespread demographic explosion of a non-indigenous hydrozoan on an oceanic island

Widespread demographic explosion of a non-indigenous hydrozoan on an oceanic island

Distribution and Characterization of Deep Rhodolith Beds off the Campania coast (SW Italy, Mediterranean Sea)

Is tourism affecting polychaete assemblages associated with rhodolith beds in Northeastern Brazil?

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