A quantitative study of the patterns of morphological variation within Hormosira banksii (Turner) Decaisne (Fucales: Phaeophyta) in south-eastern Australia

Ralph, Peter J.; Morrison, David A.; Addison, Andrew

doi:10.1016/s0022-0981(97)00232-3

Cited by 29 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Ralph et al 1998, Macinnis-Ng et al 2005, we found major differences in the morphology of exposed rocky shore and sheltered estuarine populations of Hormosira banksii. The vesicles of estuarine populations of H. banksii were larger and more spherical than those of rocky shore populations, and specimens typically had a longer thallus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…For each alga, we measured the length (to the nearest cm) from the holdfast (or, in the case of mangrove H. banksii which is frequently free-living, the oldest basal tissue) to the apical growing tip and the length and diameter (to the nearest mm) of 10 healthy, non-branching vesicles in the middle of a branch. Quantification of these variables allowed algal morphology at our study sites to be directly compared to previous assessments of H. banksii morphology by Ralph et al (1998) and Macinnis-Ng et al (2005). Furthermore, as the vesicles of H. banksii are the primary point of molluscan attachment, quantification of their size and number (estimated by length of H. banksii) was ecologically relevant.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Across its broad geographic range, H. banksii, which is characterized by a distinctive thallus of branched chains of spherical to elongate vesicles (Womersley 1987), shows considerable morphological variation (Osborn 1948, Womersley 1987. Whereas vesicles from rocky shore H. banksii are elongate in shape, those from estuarine plants are roughly spherical, with a volume 3 to 10 times that of vesicles from plants in more exposed locations (Osborn 1948, Womersley 1987, Ralph et al 1998, Macinnis-Ng et al 2005.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Facilitation of molluscan assemblages in mangroves by the fucalean alga Hormosira banksii

Bishop¹,

Morgan

Coleman

et al. 2009

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The fucalean macroalga Hormosira banksii facilitates diverse rocky intertidal communities. Along the east coast of Australia, the alga can also persist in mangroves as a free-living form trapped amongst pneumatophores. We investigated (1) whether the alga has an effect on molluscan species richness and abundance in mangroves similar to that on rocky shores, and (2) whether, in mangroves, the source (phenotypically distinct estuarine or rocky shore populations) of H. banksii influences the outcome of its interspecific interactions. Sampling of 3 rocky shore and 3 mangrove sites along the east coast of Australia revealed that patches of H. banksii consistently supported a greater species richness of molluscs than adjacent substratum. Whereas the alga increased the abundance of molluscs in the mangrove forest, it had no effect or decreased molluscan abundance on the rocky shore. Transplant of H. banksii from rocky shores and estuarine tidal flats into the mangrove indicated that the source of the algae influenced the magnitude of effects. Although all algae enhanced molluscan abundance and species richness, estuarine H. banksii, which had larger vesicles and a longer thallus, supported more molluscs of more species than rocky shore H. banksii. These results support the growing consensus that the influence of foundation species at the community level is dependent on environmental conditions. As human activities place increasing pressure on coastal ecosystems, it will be important to understand the mechanisms and conditions that determine community-level effects of foundation species so that biodiversity may be conserved.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Facilitation of molluscan assemblages in mangroves by the fucalean alga Hormosira banksii

Bishop¹,

Morgan

Coleman

et al. 2009

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…._-----~---.... cies, but the results remain inconclusive, mainly due to the limited geographical distributions of the studies. A study of variation in H. banksii throughout New Zealand was reported by Bergquist (1959), while the most extensive study of Australian forms covered only 300 km of the New South Wales coast (Ralph et al 1998). Such a limited study of the distribution of H. banksii within Australia may fail to detect morphological differences due to geographical location (Ralph et al 1998).…”

Section: Morphological Variation Influenced By Characteristicmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rock pools on the lower platform can be relatively stable habitats, in contrast to pools on the upper platform where salinity and temperature increase at low tide due to the evaporation of water and exposure to the sun. These environmental conditions (particularly wave action and degree of desiccation) influence the physiology of H banksii and have been found to correlate with morphological variation (Osborn 1948, Bergquist 1959, Womersley 1967, Ralph et al 1998). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal and spatial variation in the morphology of the brown macroalga Hormosira banksii (Fucales, Phaeophyta)

2005

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Shifts in biomass and structure of habitat‐formers across a latitudinal gradient

Stelling-Wood

Poore

Gribben

2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Global patterns of plant biomass drive the distribution of much of the marine and terrestrial life on Earth. This is because their biomass and physical structure have important consequences for the communities they support by providing food and habitat. In terrestrial ecosystems, temperature is one of the major determinants of plant biomass and can influence plant and leaf morphology. In temperate marine systems, macroalgae are major habitat‐formers and commonly display highly variable morphology in response to local environmental conditions. Variation in their morphology, and thus habitat structure on temperate reefs, however, is poorly understood across large scales. In this study, we used a trait‐based approach to quantify morphological variability in subtidal rocky reefs dominated by the algal genus Sargassum along a latitudinal gradient, in southeastern Australia (~900 km). We tested whether large‐scale variation in sea surface temperature (SST), site exposure, and nutrient availability can predict algal biomass and individual morphology. We found Sargassum biomass declined with increasing maximum SST. We also found that individual morphology varied with abiotic ocean variables. Frond size and intraindividual variability in frond size decreased with increasing with distance from the equator, as SST decreased and nitrate concentration increased. The shape of fronds displayed no clear relationship with any of the abiotic variables measured. These results suggest climate change will cause significant changes to the structure of Sargassum habitats along the southeastern coast of Australia, resulting in an overall reduction in biomass and increase in the prevalence of thalli with large, highly variable fronds. Using a space‐for‐time approach means shifts in morphological trait values can be used as early warning signs of impending species declines and regime shifts. Consequently, by studying traits and how they change across large scales we can potentially predict and anticipate the impacts of environmental change on these communities.

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A quantitative study of the patterns of morphological variation within Hormosira banksii (Turner) Decaisne (Fucales: Phaeophyta) in south-eastern Australia

Cited by 29 publications

References 17 publications

Facilitation of molluscan assemblages in mangroves by the fucalean alga Hormosira banksii

Facilitation of molluscan assemblages in mangroves by the fucalean alga Hormosira banksii

Temporal and spatial variation in the morphology of the brown macroalga Hormosira banksii (Fucales, Phaeophyta)

Shifts in biomass and structure of habitat‐formers across a latitudinal gradient

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