Abundance of the spongeHymeniacidoncf.perlevisin a stressful environment of Patagonia: relationships withUlva lactucaand physical variables

Abstract

Understanding the variables (biotic or abiotic) controlling coastal communities is the main goal of ecology research and it is crucial to predict how communities will evolve under the increasing pressure on coastal systems by human activities. The general aims of this study were to assess the variables affecting the distribution of the fast-growing sponge Hymeniacidon cf. perlevis, and to evaluate if physical stressful conditions have an influence in the relationship between Hymeniacidon and the sea lettuce Ulva lactuca. Specifically, the aims were to evaluate the abundance patterns of Hymeniacidon and Ulva and to assess the relationship of Ulva and physical variables on the abundance of Hymeniacidon at both intertidal and subtidal. Hymeniacidon and Ulva showed opposite abundance patterns. Hymeniacidon was more abundant in sites without Ulva, and negatively correlated with Ulva abundance at both heights. Intertidal Hymeniacidon abundance was not correlated with physical variables, but subtidal Hymeniacidon was.

Living under Ulva canopy: The case of the scavenger snail Buccinastrum deforme in a eutrophic macrotidal bay in Patagonia (Argentina)

“…Interspecific interactions, however, are context‐dependent, and the predictions are not always fulfilled. In the San Antonio Bay, for example, the Ulva canopy has a negative relationship with the sponge Hymenacion perlevis (Gastaldi et al, 2016); but this interaction is context‐dependent, varying from positive to negative with the environmental conditions (Gastaldi et al, 2017). In that system, Daleo et al, (2006) reported negative effects between coralline turfs (an autogenic ecosystem engineer) and the ephemeral Ulva lactuca , demonstrating that ecosystem engineers can also negatively affect species.…”

“…This study was carried out in an inner channel characterized by sandy-pebbly bottoms and slow currents (Figure 1b; Salas et al, 2016), where Ulva is attached to small pebbles and rocks alternating with soft sediments inhabited by B. deforme (Figure 1c). In this system, desiccation rates vary depending on the season and the Ulva cover, with the highest desiccation rates during summer in habitats without Ulva cover (mean desiccation rate: 0.024 g min −1 ; Gastaldi et al, 2016). Daleo et al (2005) estimated the crab carrion abundance for the system in 0.7 corpses m −2 .…”

Biodiversidad de algas epizoicas en el Pacífico tropical mexicano

“…Por otra parte, se han reportado especies de algas creciendo sobre coral vivo (Vázquez-Texocotitla, 2013); estos parecen representar un sustrato óptimo para el establecimiento de algas (Díaz-Pulido y McCook, 2004). Se registraron seis especies de algas creciendo sobre esponjas, las cuales tienen una superficie bastante heterogénea en términos de relieve, por lo que puede proporcionar a las algas un sitio adecuado para el desarrollo de los propágulos y germinación de las esporas, así como un espacio para la protección y fijación de los talos, reduciendo el desprendimiento de estos por el efecto de las olas y las corrientes (Arias et al, 2006;Passarelli et al, 2014;Gastaldi et al, 2015).…”

Relative contribution of top-down and bottom-up controls on the regulation of the sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis (Montagu, 1814) in Patagonia: an experimental and observational approach.

“…On the other hand, there is no published data on which organisms prey on H. perlevis throughout its range of distribution (Bell 2008a). In SAB, H. perlevis is the most abundant sponge being found in the intertidal and shallow subtidal, with a seasonal pattern of abundance and its growth is strongly correlated with water temperature (Gastaldi et al 2016(Gastaldi et al , 2017. It is a fast-growing sponge (9.3 ± 6.1% cover day − 1 in summer) that can reach up to 30 cm diameter and 10 cm high (Gastaldi et al 2018) being more abundant in autumn and less abundant in spring (Gastaldi et al 2016(Gastaldi et al , 2017.…”