Relative size of Aristotle's lantern in Echinometra mathaei occuring at different densities

Re, Black; Johnson, Megan E.; Trendall, JT

doi:10.1007/bf00396997

Cited by 55 publications

(43 citation statements)

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“…Consistent with contrasting growth rates of Centrostephanus rodgersii across the alternative habitat states, comparisons of relative jaw length and test thickness (both of which are indicators of foodlimitation in sea urchins; Ebert 1980, Black et al 1982, 1984 also revealed clear differences between habitats. C. rodgersii from recently formed Tasmanian barrens possessed longer jaws, but thinner tests, for a given test diameter relative to sea urchins in macroalgal boundary habitat, consistent with studies from the sea urchin's historical range (Andrew & Byrne 2001, Blount 2004.…”

Section: Growth Diet and Morphologymentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Within their historical range, it has been suggested that settlement rates are higher on barrens than in seaweed beds (Andrew 1991, Blount 2004; however, we were unable to sample recently settled C. rodgersii to test this idea (it was not possible to access the interstices of the reef where they reside). Accumulation of animals at the barrensmacroalga interface as a result of increased mobility of urchins on barrens (Mattison et al 1977, Lauzon-Guay & Scheibling 2007) is unlikely to be a contributing mechanism because C. rodgersii does not form feeding fronts.Consistent with contrasting growth rates of Centrostephanus rodgersii across the alternative habitat states, comparisons of relative jaw length and test thickness (both of which are indicators of foodlimitation in sea urchins; Ebert 1980, Black et al 1982, 1984 also revealed clear differences between habitats. C. rodgersii from recently formed Tasmanian barrens possessed longer jaws, but thinner tests, for a given test diameter relative to sea urchins in macroalgal boundary habitat, consistent with studies from the sea urchin's historical range (Andrew & Byrne 2001, Blount 2004.…”

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confidence: 73%

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Population dynamics of an ecologically important range-extender: kelp beds versus sea urchin barrens

Ling¹,

Johnson²

2009

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

106

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The barrens-forming sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii (Diadematidae) has recently undergone poleward range-extension to Tasmania where grazing of diverse and economically important macroalgal beds has occurred. We compared growth, biometric, dietary and morphometric characteristics of C. rodgersii between macroalgal habitat and adjacent barrens to inform population dynamics of the sea urchin within the newly extended range. The age structure of C. rodgersii in macroalgal habitat and adjacent barrens is similar, suggesting that both habitats have been influenced by similar recruitment events. However, there are clear differences in body size, body mass, spine length and diet of sea urchins in the 2 habitat types. We identified 2 broad morphologies of C. rodgersii. The first is of relatively large size with thick test, rapid growth and short spines, that grazes macroalgal beds (macroalgal eco-morph). The second ecomorph persists on the barrens habitat and demonstrates smaller body size, slower growth and thinner test, with gut contents dominated by closely cropped filamentous and/or coralline algae; but occurs at higher density, possesses longer spines and appears to enhance the persistence stability of barrens habitat once it is formed (barrens ecomorph). Invading dense, swell-prone macroalgal habitat of eastern Tasmania, the phenotypic plasticity displayed by this sea urchin appears to be an important mechanism facilitating colonisation of reef habitats within the extension region. Importantly, habitat-specific patterns in population dynamics are broadly consistent with those observed from within the historical range, suggesting that patterns in macroalgal-sea urchin dynamics and the ecological importance of this species will be similar across the newly extended range.KEY WORDS: Centrostephanus rodgersii · Climate change · Invasion · Morphology · Growth · Reproduction · Seaweed beds · Sea urchin barrens Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherMar Ecol Prog Ser 374: [113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125] 2009 algal-dominated habitat, which results in widespread and persistent sea urchin barrens throughout the species' historical range in New South Wales (NSW) (reviewed by Andrew & Byrne 2001). Indeed, such is the dominant ecological effect of C. rodgersii that, within its historical range, the sea urchin has formed and maintains barrens over approximately 50% of all near-shore rocky reefs (Andrew & O'Neill 2000).Since its first detection on the Tasmanian mainland coast in 1978, the sea urchin's abundance has increased, and evidence of barren areas now occur in some Tasmanian locations (Johnson et al. 2005). The potential for broad-scale ecological shifts from luxuriant macroalgal beds to sea urchin barrens in Tasmania therefore poses a major threat to local biodiversity and valuable reef-based fisheries that depend on macroalgal habitat (Johnson et al. 2005, Ling 2008. Hence, understanding the characteristics of Centrostephanus rodge...

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Section: Growth Diet and Morphologymentioning

confidence: 73%

mentioning

confidence: 73%

Population dynamics of an ecologically important range-extender: kelp beds versus sea urchin barrens

Ling¹,

Johnson²

2009

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

106

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“…A reasonable hypothesis is that there were differences in available food, which would not be surprising considering that such small-scale differences have been shown for Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Ebert 1968). If food differences were present, then morphological differences would be expected because sea urchins have the ability to respond physiologically and morphologically to fluctuating resources (Ebert 1980b, Black et al 1982, 1984, Fansler 1983, Russell 1987, Levitan 1988, Edwards & Ebert 1991. Relative size of demi-pyramids changes with available food and so can be used as an indicator of food conditions in the field (Ebert 1980b).…”

Section: Growth Of Strongylocentrotus Franciscanus At Sanmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth and mortality estimates for red sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus from San Nicolas Island, California

Ebert¹,

Russell²

1992

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The red sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus, is one of the larger if not the largest shallow water sea urchin species in the world. with a maximum test dlameter > 16 cm. It is a numerically and functionally important element of benthic assemblages along the west coast of North America and is the basis of a commercial fishery. Despite these points, there are very few data on its basic population biology. We studied 2 intertidal populations of S. franciscanus from exposed sandstone benches on San Nicolas Island, California, USA, and estimated growth and survival The shapes of its growth curves were similar to many tropical and temperate species in that ca 42 % of asymptotic size was attained during the first year of growth. Sea urchins at Cosign Cove grew more slowly and attained a smaller maximum size than did those at Northwest Point, so at 10 yr diameters would be 6.7 and 7.9 cm, respectively. Annual mortality rate was about 10 % for both sites. Although growth rates were different at the 2 sites at San Nicolas Island, relative sizes of the demi-pyramids ('jaws') of Aristotle's lantern were the same. Size of demi-pyramids relative to test diameter has been shown to be responsive to food abundance in other sea urchin species, so the different growth rates at the 2 sites either represent responses to environmental factors other than food or relative growth of jaws in S franciscanus is more canalized than in other sea urchin species.

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“…Quantifying the effects of these different factors is necessary for population ecologists to identify spatial patterns and biogeographical variation. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of small-scale variation in sea urchin growth (Russell, 1987;Russell et al, 1998;Meidel and Scheibling, 1999;Russell, 2001), and food availability has been identified as important in controlling growth and allometry (Ebert, 1980;Black et al, 1982;Levitan, 1988;Fernandez and Bouderesque, 1997). Recently, Selden and colleagues (Selden et al, 2009) have determined that predator cues induce changes in growth, morphology and reproduction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Substratum cavities affect growth-plasticity, allometry, movement and feeding rates in the sea urchinStrongylocentrotus purpuratus

Hernández

Russell

2010

Journal of Experimental Biology

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SUMMARYWe assessed the influence of rock cavities, or pits, on the growth dynamics and behavior of the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. In a paired-designed, laboratory experiment, sea urchins were assigned to sandstone blocks that were either 'Flat' or had a 'Pit' drilled into the center. At the start, both groups were approximately the same shape and size. In just 2 months, the shapes of the tests were significantly different between the two treatments, with the Pit urchins having an increased height:diameter profile. This result demonstrates the plastic nature of the sea urchin test and that, despite its apparent rigidity, it is capable of deforming during growth. In addition, the presence of pits modified behavior and food consumption as well as allometric growth of the test and Aristotle's lantern. Sea urchins on Pit sandstone blocks tended to stay in the cavities and not move about the flat areas, whereas individuals on Flat blocks changed position. Sea urchins in the Pit treatment consumed less food and had relatively larger demipyramids (the 'jaw' ossicle in Aristotle's lantern). These morphological and allometric changes occurred over a short time-period (8-20 weeks). We conclude that microhabitat is an important factor in controlling the behavior and growth dynamics of the bioeroding sea urchin S. purpuratus.

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Relative size of Aristotle's lantern in Echinometra mathaei occuring at different densities

Cited by 55 publications

References 1 publication

Population dynamics of an ecologically important range-extender: kelp beds versus sea urchin barrens

Population dynamics of an ecologically important range-extender: kelp beds versus sea urchin barrens

Growth and mortality estimates for red sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus from San Nicolas Island, California

Substratum cavities affect growth-plasticity, allometry, movement and feeding rates in the sea urchinStrongylocentrotus purpuratus

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