Control of epiphytes in seaweed cultures using grazers

Shacklock, P. F.; Doyle, Roger W.

doi:10.1016/0044-8486(83)90308-3

Cited by 68 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Gammarus is a grazer of microalgae, detritus, and associated microbes (Zimmerman et al 1979, Smith et al 1982, and often reaches very high densities in shallow habitats in Chesapeake Bay during spring (Fredette and Diaz 1986). Idotea baltica is a characteristic member of vegetated marine and estuarine habitats on both sides of the North Atlantic, grazing on microalgae, macroalgae, and seagrasses (Robertson and Mann 1980, Shacklock and Doyle 1983, Salemaa 1987, Hauxwell et al 1998, Worm et al 2000. Erichsonella attenuata occurs along the East and Gulf coasts of North America and appears to feed primarily on microalgae Short 1986, Boströ m andMattila 1999).…”

Section: Natural History Of the Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazer Diversity, Functional Redundancy, and Productivity in Seagrass Beds: An Experimental Test

Duffy

Macdonald

Rhode

et al. 2001

Ecology

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Abstract. Concern over the accelerating loss of biodiversity has stimulated renewed interest in relationships among species richness, species composition, and the functional properties of ecosystems. Mechanistically, the degree of functional differentiation or complementarity among individual species determines the form of such relationships and is thus important to distinguishing among alternative hypotheses for the effects of diversity on ecosystem processes. Although a growing number of studies have reported relationships between plant diversity and ecosystem processes, few have explicitly addressed how functional diversity at higher trophic levels influences ecosystem processes. We used mesocosm experiments to test the impacts of three herbivorous crustacean species (Gammarus mucronatus, Idotea baltica, and Erichsonella attenuata) on plant biomass accumulation, relative dominance of plant functional groups, and herbivore secondary production in beds of eelgrass (Zostera marina), a dominant feature of naturally low-diversity estuaries throughout the northern hemisphere. By establishing treatments with all possible combinations of the three grazer species, we tested the degree of functional redundancy among grazers and their relative impacts on productivity.Grazer species composition strongly influenced eelgrass biomass accumulation and grazer secondary production, whereas none of the processes we studied was clearly related to grazer species richness over the narrow range (0-3 species) studied. In fact, all three measured ecosystem processes-epiphyte grazing, and eelgrass and grazer biomass accumulation-reached highest values in particular single-species treatments. Experimental deletions of individual species from the otherwise-intact assemblage confirmed that the three grazer species were functionally redundant in impacting epiphyte accumulation, whereas secondary production was sensitive to deletion of G. mucronatus, indicating its unique, nonredundant role in influencing this variable. In the field, seasonal abundance patterns differed markedly among the dominant grazer species, suggesting that complementary grazer phenologies may reduce total variance in grazing pressure on an annual basis. Our results show that even superficially similar grazer species can differ in both sign and magnitude of impacts on ecosystem processes and emphasize that one must be cautious in assuming redundancy when assigning species to functional groups.

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Section: Natural History Of the Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grazer Diversity, Functional Redundancy, and Productivity in Seagrass Beds: An Experimental Test

Duffy

Macdonald

Rhode

et al. 2001

Ecology

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“…Epiphytized individuals are in general disadvantaged (Wahl 1989) because of added weight (Oswald & Seed 1986), which alters some mechanical properties of the thallus (Dixon et al 1981), including surface friction and drag (D'Antonio 1985), chemical changes at the host-epiphyte interface (Terry & Edyvean 1981), and competition for light and nutrients (Sand-Jensen 1977, Sand-Jensen & Revsbech 1987, Carpenter 1990 Additional negative effects on the host may result from 'accidental' grazing by herbivores eating epiphytes (Shacklock & Doyle 1983, D'Antonio 1985. On the other hand, algal hosts may possibly benefit from epiphytes (Ducker & Knox 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endophytic algae of Chondrus crispus (Rhodophyta). IV Effects on the host following infections by Acrochaete operculata and A. heteroclada (Chlorophyta)

Ja¹,

McLachlan²

1992

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The rhodophycean seaweed Chondrus crispus was infected under laboratory conditions by the green algal endophytes Acrochaete operculata and A. heteroclada. Such infections resulted in detrimental effects on host performance, including slower growth and carrageenan yields. Regeneration capacity of the host was diminished, with the extent determined by the density of the infection. Infections also caused softening of host tissue in both laboratory-infected and wild fronds; in the former the degree of softness was directly related to density of infections. Infected C. crispus was preferred over non-infected material when offered to Idotea baltica and Gammarus oceanicus, and the consurnption of infected fronds was similar to that of the highly palatable chlorophyte Ulva sp. In general, infection by A. heteroclada affected the 2 life-history generations of the host similarly, whereas A. operculata affected mainly sporophytic fronds. This study shows that A. operculeta and A. heteroclada are pathogens of C. cnspus, and that their effects on the host, either as primary cause of dysfunctions or as agents facilitating secondary infections by other pathogens, can have major effects on both natural and cultivated populations.

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“…Moreover, mesograzers that feed on epiphytes could be economically favourable for commercial algal species such as Gracilaria spp. (Shacklock andDoyle 1983, Anderson et al 1998). The feeding preferences of L. pentagona may be beneficial for G. gracilis and could have important implications for the subtidal community of Bahía Bustamante.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Feeding primarily on epiphytes is a feeding behavior that helps to maintain the structural complexity of shelters Hay 1996, Boström andMattilla 1999) and can be indirectly beneficial to Gracilaria spp. populations (Shacklock andDoyle 1983, Anderson et al 1998). In Argentine Patagonia, G. gracilis forms large and dense beds at some wave-protected sites of Golfo San Jorge (Bahía Bustamante, Puerto Melo and Bahía Arredondo) and Golfo Nuevo.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food and habitat choice in the spider crab <em>Leucippa pentagona</em> (Majoidea: Epialtidae) in Bahía Bustamante, Patagonia, Argentina

Varisco¹,

Martín²,

Zaixso³

et al. 2015

Sci. Mar.

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Summary:The aim of the present study was to analyse the feeding strategy and spatial distribution of the spider crab Leucippa pentagona in Bahía Bustamante (Patagonia, Argentina). Several microhabitat variables that could influence the spatial distribution of this crab were related to its different life stages by using redundancy analysis. Regarding its feeding preferences, we found that the sphacelariales Halopteris spp. and Sphacelaria fusca, epiphytes of the alga Gracilaria gracilis, represented over 70% of its diet. Conversely, consumption of G. gracilis was low throughout the year. These feeding preferences can be related to the higher proportion of ash-free dry mass of sphacelariales. A close association was observed between G. gracilis biomass and recruits and mature crabs; this relationship was stronger at critical periods of the crab's life cycle such as incubation or moult. Intermolt juveniles were related to G. gracilis as well as to other species of macroalgae. Our results suggest that G. gracilis plays a key role in the small-scale distribution of L. pentagona in Bahía Bustamante, providing food and shelter. The consumption of G. gracilis epiphytes allows L. pentagona to maintain high foraging rates at safe living sites, minimizing the damage to G. gracilis.Keywords: Leucippa pentagona; Gracilaria gracilis; microhabitat; subtidal beds; epiphyte consumption; Sphacelariales.Alimentación y selección del hábitat en el cangrejo araña Leucippa pentagona (Majoidea: Epialtidae) en Bahía Bustamante, Patagonia, Argentina Resumen: En este trabajo se analiza la alimentación y distribución especial del cangrejo araña Leucippa pentagona en Bahía Bustamante (Patagonia, Argentina). La distribución espacial de distintos estadios del ciclo de vida de la especie se relacionó con variables ambientales mediante un análisis de redundancias. La especie presenta una dieta especializada, las sphacelariales Halopteris spp. y Sphacelaria fusca, epifitas de Gracilaria gracilis, representan más del 70% de la dieta. Por otra parte, se observó una baja incidencia de G. gracilis en la dieta durante todas las estaciones del año. Estos resultados pueden estar relacionados con el alto contenido de materia orgánica que tienen las sphacelariales. Respecto de la distribución espacial, se observó una relación significativa entre la biomasa de G. gracilis y reclutas y adultos de L. pentagona; esta relación es más significativa en periodos críticos del ciclo de vida del cangrejo como la muda o la incubación de los huevos. Los juveniles de tallas más grandes, en intermuda, están asociados tanto a G. gracilis como a otras macroalgas disponibles en el área. Nuestros resultados sugieren que G. gracilis tiene un rol importante en la distribución a pequeña escala del cangrejo L. pentagona en Bahía Bustamante, proveyéndole alimento y refugio. El alto consumo de epifitas de G. gracilis permite a L. pentagona alimentarse en el complejo microhabitat que le provee el alga, minimizando el daño sobre G. gracilis.

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Control of epiphytes in seaweed cultures using grazers

Cited by 68 publications

References 10 publications

Grazer Diversity, Functional Redundancy, and Productivity in Seagrass Beds: An Experimental Test

Grazer Diversity, Functional Redundancy, and Productivity in Seagrass Beds: An Experimental Test

Endophytic algae of Chondrus crispus (Rhodophyta). IV Effects on the host following infections by Acrochaete operculata and A. heteroclada (Chlorophyta)

Food and habitat choice in the spider crab <em>Leucippa pentagona</em> (Majoidea: Epialtidae) in Bahía Bustamante, Patagonia, Argentina

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