Echinometra

McClanahan, Tim R.; Muthiga, Nyawira A.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-396491-5.00023-x

Cited by 12 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…In contrast to the diadematids and TG, the echinometrids, EM and HM, exhibited much lower metabolic rates. Previous studies indicate that these low metabolic rates correspond with EM’s generalist diet and behavior [ 34 , 61 ]. Furthermore, both echinometrid species are known to chew on and erode carbonate reefs by feeding on endolithic and crustose coralline algae and excavating burrows in which they hide during the day.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Furthermore, both echinometrid species are known to chew on and erode carbonate reefs by feeding on endolithic and crustose coralline algae and excavating burrows in which they hide during the day. Movements are limited, with individuals grazing on drift algae or benthic algae on burrow edges at night [ 24 , 34 , 35 ]. Thus HM and EM exhibited low metabolic rates that corresponded with a burrowing lifestyle, consumption of low quality foods, and a lack of effective predator defenses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…and Heterocentrotus sp . do not appear to exhibit effective chemical defenses, and thus must hide in burrows or shallow water to avoid predation [ 24 , 34 , 35 ]. By exploring taxon-specific variation in the mass-scaling of metabolism among several echinoid species, we can provide a better understanding of how species might differ functionally and how metabolism relates to phylogenetic history or might co-evolve with variation in morphology and life-history strategies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparative metabolic ecology of tropical herbivorous echinoids on a coral reef

2018

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BackgroundThe metabolic rate of consumers is a key driver of ecosystem dynamics. On coral reefs, herbivorous echinoids consume fleshy algae, facilitating the growth of reef-building calcified organisms; however, little is known about differences among species in their metabolic and functional ecology. Here, we used log-linear (log-log) regression models to examine the allometric scaling of mass and routine metabolic rate for five common herbivorous echinoids on a Hawaiian coral reef: Echinothrix calamaris, E. diadema, Echinometra matthaei, Heterocentrotus mammillatus, and Tripneustes gratilla. Scaling relationships were then contrasted with empirical observations of echinoid ecology and general metabolic theory to broaden our understanding of diversity in the metabolic and functional ecology of tropical herbivorous echinoids.ResultsTest diameter and species explained 98% of the variation in mass, and mass and species explained 92.4% and 87.5% of the variation in individual (I) and mass-specific (B) metabolic rates, respectively. Scaling exponents did not differ for mass or metabolism; however, normalizing constants differed significantly among species. Mass varied as the cube of test diameter (b = 2.9), with HM exhibiting a significantly higher normalizing constant than other species, likely due to its heavily-calcified spines and skeleton. Individual metabolic rate varied approximately as the 2/5 power of mass (γ = 0.44); significantly smaller than the 3/4 universal scaling coefficient, but inclusive of 2/3 scaling. E. calamaris and H. mammillatus exhibited the lowest normalizing constants, corresponding with their slow-moving, cryptic, rock-boring life-history. In contrast, E. calamaris, E. diadema, and T. gratilla, exhibited higher metabolic rates, likely reflecting their higher levels of activity and ability to freely browse for preferred algae due to chemical anti-predator defenses. Thus, differences in metabolic scaling appeared to correspond with differences in phylogeny, behavior, and ecological function. Such comparative metabolic assessments are central to informing theory, ecological models, and the effective management of ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparative metabolic ecology of tropical herbivorous echinoids on a coral reef

2018

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“…Another possible model may be the simultaneous exploitation of resources (e.g., food, space), which re‐engineers the habitat and consequently reduces stressors exerted on the species or improves the environmental conditions they experience (Crowley & Cox, 2011 ). In particular, species in the genus Echinometra can bio‐erode coral reef habitats and reduce its complexity, which facilitates co‐existence with other, large herbivorous species (Brown‐Saracino et al., 2007 ; McClanahan & Muthiga, 2013 ). Both cases are examples of resource‐mediated direct mutualism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intertidal estimates of sea urchin abundance reveal congruence in spatial structure for a guild of consumers

Kevin

Redelinghuys

Gusha

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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We hypothesized congruence in the spatial structure of abundance data sampled across multiple scales for an ecological guild of consumers that exploit similar nutritional and habitat resources. We tested this hypothesis on the spatial organization of abundance of an herbivorous guild of sea urchins. We also examined whether the amount of local along‐shore rocky habitat can explain the observed spatial patterns of abundance. Standardized estimates of abundance of four intertidal sea urchins—Diadema cf. savignyi, Echinometra mathaei, Parechinus angulosus, and Stomopneustes variolaris—were determined by six observers at 105 sites across 2,850 km of coast of South Africa. For each species and observer, wavelet analysis was used on abundance estimates, after controlling for potential biases, to examine their spatial structure. The relationship between local sea urchin abundance and the amount of upstream and downstream rocky habitat, as defined by the prevailing ocean current, was also investigated. All species exhibited robust structure at scales of 75–220 km, despite variability among observers. Less robust structure in the abundances of three species was detected at larger scales of 430–898 km. Abundance estimates of sympatric populations of two species (D. cf. savignyi and E. mathaei) were positively correlated with the amount of rocky habitat upstream of the site, suggesting that upstream populations act as larval sources across a wide range of scales. No relationship between abundance and habitat size was found for P. angulosus or S. variolaris. Within the range of scales examined, we found robust congruence in spatial structure in abundance at the lower, but not the larger, range of scales for all four species. The relationship between abundance and upstream habitat availability in two species suggests that larval supply from upstream populations was probably the mechanism linking habitat size and abundance.

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“…Precisamente, E. lucunter lucunter es capaz de soportar el embate de las olas, capacidad que le permite prosperar y ser abundante (McClanahan & Muthiga, 2013). Otro significado de esta asociación parece estar ligado a cuestiones tróficas, dado que la alimentación primaria de E. lucunter lucunter son las algas (Hendler et al 1995).…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Diversidad y abundancia de los equinodermos y su relación con la cobertura bentónica del arrecife Enmedio, Sistema Arrecifal Lobos-Tuxpan, México

et al. 2017

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Hasta la fecha, en el Área Natural Protegida, Sistema Arrecifal Lobos-Tuxpan, aún se desconoce la ecología comunitaria de los equinodermos. Por ello, fueron contabilizadas especies de equinodermos en el arrecife Enmedio, utilizando cuadrantes de 1 m2. Los cuadrantes fueron colocados a cada 5 m sobre tres transectos de 50 m de largo en el arrecife posterior, laguna arrecifal y arrecife frontal. Con los datos obtenidos se estimaron riqueza de especies, abundancia, densidad, equitatividad, dominancia de Simpson y diversidad verdadera. Asimismo, se determinaron similitudes entre las zonas de muestreo mediante análisis de similitud y ordenación. También se realizó un análisis de correspondencia canónica utilizando como variable ambiental la cobertura bentónica. Se cuantificó un total de 5 569 equinodermos, identificándose cinco clases, 10 órdenes, 16 familias, 19 géneros y 23 especies. La densidad de equinodermos en el arrecife fue de 11.23 ind/m2; las especies más importantes en abundancia y densidad fueron: Echinometra viridis (3 389 organismos; 6.85 ind/m2) y Echinometra lucunter lucunter (1 803 organismos; 3.64 ind/m2). En la laguna arrecifal se registró mayor riqueza, abundancia y densidad de equinodermos, en comparación con las zonas profundas. Los tres ambientes arrecifales, mostraron altos valores de dominancia y bajos valores de diversidad verdadera. Las zonas de muestreo presentaron baja similitud y no manifestaron una zonación distintiva entre ambientes arrecifales. Solamente diez especies de equinodermos tuvieron afinidades con la cobertura de corales, macroalgas, algas filamentosas y escombros, estos sustratos parecen ser factores claves en la distribución y abundancia de los equinodermos en el arrecife Enmedio.

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Echinometra

Cited by 12 publications

References 100 publications

Comparative metabolic ecology of tropical herbivorous echinoids on a coral reef

Comparative metabolic ecology of tropical herbivorous echinoids on a coral reef

Intertidal estimates of sea urchin abundance reveal congruence in spatial structure for a guild of consumers

Diversidad y abundancia de los equinodermos y su relación con la cobertura bentónica del arrecife Enmedio, Sistema Arrecifal Lobos-Tuxpan, México

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