We investigated the fouling community on the Fisheries Vessel (F/V) Khronometer during a 3‐year period, from its sinking, by means of video transects. The results demonstrate that the shipwreck presented high macroinvertebrate coverage from the first survey (100 days after sinking). The most conspicuous organisms were cnidarians, followed by amphipods and serpulids (tubes). The hydroid Ectopleura crocea was the most abundant colonizer in the early stages; the sea anemone Anthothoe chilensis and the azooxanthellate soft coral Tripalea clavaria were abundant 2 years after the vessel sank. Interestingly, shipwreck coverage and species composition at the end of the sampling period (940 days after sinking) were similar to those of the wood vessel Cristo Rey, which sank 36 years before the Khronometer. Besides, some different taxa from that seen on video transects were identified from samples taken during dives, corresponding to isolated organisms with scarce abundance or cryptic habits. Moreover, four reef fish species were recorded. Shipwrecks represent interesting places for recreational activities such as diving and fishing. This is the only study about the early development of an invertebrate community on artificial reefs in Buenos Aires coast, Argentina. Monitoring natural and artificial substrata could help to understand the ecological patterns occurring around them and provide information to help manage artificial reefs in sustainable ways.
Introduction: The locomotion behavior of an organism involves the integration of aspects like body symmetry, sensory and locomotor systems. Furthermore, various ecological factors seem to be related to locomotion characteristics, such as foraging strategy, migration trends, response to predators and competitors, and environmental stress. Objective: To analyze locomotion and the influence of body symmetry in the crawling and righting movements of the sea star Asterina stellifera. Methods: We carried out laboratory experiments in aquariums in the presence/absence of water current and on a horizontal and vertical surface. Results: The speed is similar to speed in other species of similar size. Both the speed and linearity of displacement were independent of individual body size. A water current leads to faster crawling and straight paths, but there is no rheotaxis: streams do not affect locomotion. Speed and linearity of displacement were independent of individual body size. The displacement pattern described here may be an adaptation of organisms that present dense populations in communities with high prey abundance, as is the case of A. stellifera. Conclusions: Like other asteroids, this species did not show an Anterior/Posterior plane of symmetry during locomotion, or righting movement: it does not tend to bilaterality.
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