Recruitment variation in subtidal macrofouling assemblages of a Patagonian harbour (Argentina, south-western Atlantic)

Abstract

The recruitment of subtidal macrofouling organisms was studied in the Patagonian harbour of Comodoro Rivadavia (Argentina, 45851 0 35 00 S 67827 0 23 00 W). Changes in coverage and density were analysed in the central 100 cm 2 of upper and lower surfaces which were replaced monthly from January to December 2004. The fouling assemblage consisted of algae, spirorbid polychaetes, compound ascidians, hydrozoans, bryozoans and egg masses spawned by the small fish Helcogrammoides cunninghami. Monthly changes in richness and diversity of taxa on upper and lower surfaces were significantly correlated with sea surface temperature. Fouling assemblage structure differed significantly between upper and lower surfaces. Filamentous algae were dominant on upper surfaces, while filter-feeding invertebrates were more abundant on the lower surfaces of the experimental panels. The density of the spirorbid Romanchella scoresbyi was two orders of magnitude higher on lower than on upper surfaces. Its recruitment began in late winter, reaching maximum values in spring.

Effects of Depth and Orientation on Marine Fouling Assemblages in the Coastal Waters of Abu Qir Harbor, Egypt

“…A greater contribution of macroalgae in the fouling community at 1.5 m depth was reported by Qvarfordt et al (2006) in the Baltic Sea. Rico et al (2010), studying in the Patagonian harbour, Argentina, south-western Atlantic, mentioned that filamentous algae were dominant on upper surfaces, while filter-feeding invertebrates were more abundant on the lower surfaces of the experimental panels.…”

Effect of large predators on the fouling assemblage of a Patagonian harbour (Argentina, SW Atlantic)

“…1 in Rico & López Gappa, 2006). Its physical environment was described in a previous study (Rico et al, 2010). Briefly, the range of sea surface temperatures is about 15°C, with a maximum around 19°C in February (summer) and a minimum of 4°C in August (winter).…”

“…Therefore, it is critical to understand the ecological processes regulating the biodiversity and structure of their encrusting assemblages. Surveys of the fouling communities of Patagonian harbours have been rarely undertaken, and the available information on the biota encrusting hard substrata is thus scarce (but see Bastida, 1973;Rico & López Gappa, 2006;Rico et al, 2010Rico et al, , 2012Tatián et al, 2010). Therefore, the aim of this study has been to test whether the exclusion of large predators produced significant changes in structure, species richness and diversity of macrofouling assemblages developed on experimental substrata submersed in a Patagonian harbour.…”

Temporal variation in the recruitment of calcareous sponges (Porifera, Calcarea) in Todos os Santos Bay, tropical Brazilian coast

“…It typically involves several pre- and post-settlement processes (Pineda et al ., 2009; Émond et al ., 2015), being fundamental to the continuous replacement of organisms and playing an important role in the maintenance of community structure (Underwood & Fairweather, 1989; Pineda et al ., 2009; Adjeroud et al ., 2016). In general, recruitment is under the influence of environmental and/or biological factors, such as predation, spatial competition, fecundity rates, larvae availability and competence, substrate type, temperature, light, sedimentation, depth and precipitation (Anderson & Underwood, 1994; Pineda et al ., 2009; Rico et al ., 2009; Cavalcanti et al ., 2013; Émond et al ., 2015; Chase et al ., 2016; Fuentes-Santos et al ., 2016; Sotelo-Casas et al ., 2016). The importance of each factor varies greatly among species and in space and time (Pineda et al ., 2009).…”