Vermetid gastropods mediate within-colony variation in coral growth to reduce rugosity

Shima, Jeffrey S.; McNaughtan, Daniel; Strong, Amanda T.

doi:10.1007/s00227-015-2688-7

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…reproduction or recruitment, do not alter these patterns). However, vermetids can also kill corals and reduce their growth (Colgan 1985;Zvuloni et al 2008;Shima et al 2010Shima et al , 2013Shima et al , 2015Stier et al 2010), and here, we show that survivorship of vermetids is significantly reduced on dead coral substrate. Furthermore, we observed many of our tagged vermetids grew considerably in shell length (≥20 cm over the course of our study), almost suggesting a 'search path'.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…At first glance, vermetids appear to be minor players in the reef system. However, vermetids can cause growth anomalies in corals (Colgan 1985;Zvuloni et al 2008;Shima et al 2010Shima et al , 2015, reduce coral growth by up to 80 %, and reduce coral survival by ~50 % (Shima et al , 2013Stier et al 2010). Due to differential effects on coral species (which may also be context-dependent, e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Variation in the growth and survival of the tropical vermetid gastropod Ceraesignum maximum is driven by size, habitat, and density

Shima

Phillips

Osenberg³

2016

Mar Biol

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with biomass was steeper for reefs where vermetid densities had been experimentally reduced. Survival was also greater on living coral Porites lobata (where coral growth covered longitudinal extensions of vermetid shells) relative to dead coral substrate (where vermetid shells extensions remained exposed). These data suggest little scope for regulation of vermetid population growth via direct density dependence in demographic rates. However, given that vermetids can kill corals, and vermetid survival probabilities appear to depend upon coral cover, it is predicted that vermetids may experience cyclical dynamics that are coupled to the dynamics of living coral.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in the growth and survival of the tropical vermetid gastropod Ceraesignum maximum is driven by size, habitat, and density

Shima

Phillips

Osenberg³

2016

Mar Biol

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“…The largest vermetid, Ceraesignum maximum , is frequently found embedded in calcified tubes they create in the coral skeletal matrix in the Indo‐Pacific and Red Sea. These vermetids reduce coral calcification (Shima et al 2010), flatten coral colonies (Colgan 1985, Zvuloni et al 2008, Shima et al 2015) and decrease photosynthetic yield of symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae (Shima et al 2015). The putative mechanism underlying these deleterious effects involves the gastropod’s mucus nets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Images c and d are examples of the small study reefs (~1 m diameter) (c) without and (d) with vermetids. The flattened colony morphology in panel d arises through the effects of vermetids on coral growth (Shima et al 2010, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extended phenotypes on coral reefs: cryptic phenotypes modulate coral‐vermetid interactions

Brown

Hamman

Shima

et al. 2021

Ecology

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Phenotypic variation can lead to variation in the strength and outcome of species interactions. Variation in phenotypic traits can arise due to plastic responses to environmental stimuli, underlying genetic variation, or both, and may reflect differences in the focal organism or aspects of the extended phenotype (e.g., associated microbes). We used a reciprocal transplant experiment of Porites corals to evaluate the role of plasticity vs. heritable diversity on phenotypic traits and performance of corals that varied in their prior exposure to vermetid gastropods, an organism known to reduce coral growth and survival. We measured a suite of phenotypic traits associated with coral performance, many of which showed a plastic response to vermetid exposure. Vermetids decreased calcification of corals, increased microbial diversity, and shifted microbial composition. Most traits also showed a signature of previous exposure environment that persisted even when exposure was reversed: i.e., under the same conditions, corals naïve to vermetids had slower calcification rates, thicker tissues, higher Symbiodiniaceae densities, and different microbiomes than corals previously exposed to vermetids. We suggest the phenotypic differences are heritable, as reefs with and without vermetids were comprised of two different mitotypes, that revealed high, consistent genetic variation. Vermetids were only found on the fast‐growing coral mitotype that was characterized by thin tissue, and that likely had a history of disturbance. As extended phenotypes can have community impacts, we suggest vermetid, in addition to microbes, are part of the extended community phenotype of these corals. Coral genotypes can establish different reef trajectories, with thin‐tissue types more prone to disturbance and subsequent colonization by other species, like vermetids, which can further facilitate the degradation of coral reefs. The effects of the extended phenotype of species likely influence heterogeneity across landscapes as well as temporal differences in community composition.

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“…Vermetid snails reduce coral growth, survival, and photophysiology (Shima et al 2010(Shima et al , 2013(Shima et al , 2015. Thus, understanding how predators affect vermetid populations can have important implications for understanding indirect responses of coral communities to changes in food-web structure on coral reefs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hidden predators on coral reefs: muricid consumption of vermetids

Brown¹,

Frazer²,

Li³

et al. 2019

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Predators, through their effects on prey densities, sizes, and behaviors, can shape ecological communities. Thus, quantitative assessments of predator−prey relationships are key to understanding these effects. Here, we documented the patterns and processes underlying the effects of 2 predatory muricid gastropods, Mancinella armigera and Menathais tuberosa, on the sessile vermetid gastropod Ceraesignum maximum. We used a combination of field surveys and manipulative lab and field experiments to quantify muricid abundances, predator feeding rates, and effects of predator density on vermetid mortality. The 2 predators exhibited spatial segregation, with M. armigera being more common close to the reef crest and M. tuberosa increasing in density away from and shoreward of the reef crest. We demonstrated that recently killed vermetids were more common in the vicinity of M. armigera. Laboratory assays revealed that M. armigera killed 0.55 C. maximum predator −1 d −1 , a rate that was ~60% greater than for M. tuberosa. Although the 2 predators were spatially segregated in the field, they did not demonstrate interference competition or intraguild predation in the lab. Consumption rates of C. maximum by M. armigera in the field were approximately equal to those quantified in the lab, and although consumption rates decreased over time, predator density had no effect on predator consumption rate. In addition, we observed no evidence of size selectivity by predators. This study is the first to quantitatively examine predator−prey interactions involving C. maximum, and our findings suggests that muricids can limit vermetid populations where both are present.

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Vermetid gastropods mediate within-colony variation in coral growth to reduce rugosity

Cited by 11 publications

References 45 publications

Variation in the growth and survival of the tropical vermetid gastropod Ceraesignum maximum is driven by size, habitat, and density

Variation in the growth and survival of the tropical vermetid gastropod Ceraesignum maximum is driven by size, habitat, and density

Extended phenotypes on coral reefs: cryptic phenotypes modulate coral‐vermetid interactions

Hidden predators on coral reefs: muricid consumption of vermetids

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