Size-density strategy displayed by <i>Diadema
                           africanum</i> linked with the stability of urchin-barrens in the
                        Canary Islands

Cabañillas-Terán, Nancy; Martín, José Antonio; Rodríguez-Barreras, Ruber; Luque, Alfonso

doi:10.1017/s0025315414001246

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…This has also been observed in other areas of the ETP where D. mexicanum has a relevant role in the recruitment of corals ( Alvarado, Cortés & Reyes-Bonilla, 2012 ). This was also observed in Caribbean reefs with D. antillarum ( Macintyre, Glynn & Hinds, 2005 ; Mumby et al, 2006 ; Idjadi, Haring & Precht, 2010 ; Sandin & McNamara, 2012 ), and in shaping the sublittoral ecosystems of the Canary Islands with D. africanum ( Alves et al, 2003 ; Tuya et al, 2004 ; Hernández et al, 2005 ; Hernández et al, 2008 ; Sangil et al, 2014 ; Cabanillas-Terán et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Trophic ecology of sea urchins in coral-rocky reef systems, Ecuador

Cabañillas-Terán

Loor-Andrade

Rodríguez-Barreras

et al. 2016

PeerJ

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Sea urchins are important grazers and influence reef development in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). Diadema mexicanum and Eucidaris thouarsii are the most important sea urchins on the Ecuadorian coastal reefs. This study provided a trophic scenario for these two species of echinoids in the coral-rocky reef bottoms of the Ecuadorian coast, using stable isotopes. We evaluated the relative proportion of algal resources assimilated, and trophic niche of the two sea urchins in the most southern coral-rocky reefs of the ETP in two sites with different disturbance level. Bayesian models were used to estimate the contribution of algal sources, niche breadth, and trophic overlap between the two species. The sea urchins behaved as opportunistic feeders, although they showed differential resource assimilation. Eucidaris thouarsii is the dominant species in disturbed environments; likewise, their niche amplitude was broader than that of D. mexicanum when conditions were not optimal. However, there was no niche overlap between the species. The Stable Isotope Analysis in R (SIAR) indicated that both sea urchins shared limiting resources in the disturbed area, mainly Dictyota spp. (contributions of up to 85% for D. mexicanum and up to 75% for E. thouarsii). The Stable Isotope Bayesian Ellipses in R (SIBER) analysis results indicated less interspecific competition in the undisturbed site. Our results suggested a trophic niche partitioning between sympatric sea urchin species in coastal areas of the ETP, but the limitation of resources could lead to trophic overlap and stronger habitat degradation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Trophic ecology of sea urchins in coral-rocky reef systems, Ecuador

Cabañillas-Terán

Loor-Andrade

Rodríguez-Barreras

et al. 2016

PeerJ

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“…However, kelp and other algae rich biotopes have been increasingly under pressure by compounding stressors such as climate change, eutrophication, coastal development, and pest species proliferation (Steneck et al, 2002;Koch et al, 2012;Borja et al, 2013;Ling et al, 2015). The uncontrolled proliferation of keystone gazers, such as sea urchins, has been reported to be an increasing problem for kelp forests and other algae rich habitats (Feehan et al, 2012;Cabanillas-Terán et al, 2015;Ling et al, 2015). In fact, temperate shallow benthic communities often present one of two ecological states: macroalgae forests with high densities of urchin predators, or; barrens where urchins overgraze algae and predators are typically scarce (reviewed in Lawrence, 1975;Steneck et al, 2002;Konar and Estes, 2003;Ling et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This non-linear nature of phase shifts can be particularly relevant in coastal marine habitats that are especially vulnerable or under pressure from other stressors such as coastal development, pollution and overfishing. Forward shifts can be easily triggered whereas state reversal toward habitats with higher complexity and diversity may be hampered and barrens may become alternative stable states (Claisse et al, 2013;Filbee-Dexter and Scheibling, 2014;Cabanillas-Terán et al, 2015;Ling et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease Outbreak in a Keystone Grazer Population Brings Hope to the Recovery of Macroalgal Forests in a Barren Dominated Island

et al. 2021

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Macroalgal forests play a key role in shallow temperate rocky reefs worldwide, supporting communities with high productivity and providing several ecosystem services. Sea urchin grazing has been increasingly influencing spatial and temporal variation in algae distributions and it has become the main cause for the loss of these habitats in many coastal areas, causing a phase shift from macroalgae habitats to barren grounds. The low productive barrens often establish as alternative stable states and only a major reduction in sea urchin density can trigger the recovery of macroalgal forests. The present study aims to assess if the 2018 disease outbreak, responsible for a strong reduction in the sea urchin Diadema africanum densities in Madeira Island, was able to trigger a reverse shift from barren grounds into macroalgae-dominated state. By assessing the diversity and abundance of benthic sessile organisms, macroinvertebrates and fishes before, during and after that particular mass mortality event, we evaluate changes in benthic assemblages and relate them to variations in grazer and herbivore densities. Our results revealed a clear shift from barren state to a macroalgae habitat, with barrens characterized by bare substrate, sessile invertebrate and Crustose Coralline Algae (CCA) disappearing after the mortality event. Overall variations in benthic assemblages was best explained by four taxa (among grazers and herbivores species). However, it was the 2018 demise of D. africanum and its density reduction that most contributed to the reverse shift from a long stable barren state to a richer benthic assemblage with higher abundance of macroalgae. Despite this recent increase in macroalgae dominated habitats, their stability and persistence in Madeira Island is fragile, since it was triggered by an unpredictable disease outbreak and depends on how D. africanum populations will recover. With no control mechanisms, local urchin populations can easily reach the tipping point needed to promote a new shift into barren states. New conservation measures and active restoration are likely required to maintain and promote the local stability of macroalgal forests.

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“…In the early 1980s an unknown pathogen caused a massive mortality in the sea urchin Diadema antillarum that reduced its populations between 93 -100% throughout the Caribbean (Bak et al, 1984;Lessios et al, 1984). Before the die-off, this echinoid was one of the major macroalgae consumers in coral reefs ecosystems, as Diadema africanum in sublittoral ecosystems of the Canary Islands (Cabanillas-Terán et al 2014); what supports the importance of the genus Diadema as a keystone species (Edmunds & Carpenter 2001). The absence of this important herbivore has resulted in fleshy macroalgae out-competing coral for space and limiting coral recruitment (Edmunds & Carpenter, 2001;Carpenter & Edmunds, 2006;Myhre & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting the population status of the sea urchinDiadema antillarumin northern Puerto Rico

et al. 2014

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The mass mortality suffered by the sea urchin Diadema antillarum between 1983-1984 is considered one of the major causes of coral reef degradation in the Caribbean. Its near disappearance resulted in a disproportionate growth of macroalgae that has led to a 'phase shift' from coral-to-algal dominated reefs. The close relationship between this echinoid and the functioning of coral reef ecosystems makes it imperative to better understand the potential for recovery of its populations. From 2009 to 2011, we assessed the density and size structure of D. antillarum in various reefs where previous population data were available. Results indicate a modest increase in density in all localities with respect to the last time they were surveyed in 2003/2004. Nevertheless, density values are still lower than values reported for the island prior to the die-off. Overall density did not surpass 1.49 ind. per m 22 , and did not change considerably during the studied period. Lack of population growth coincided with a lack of juveniles; suggesting that population growth at the studied sites may be limited by the number of individuals recruiting into the juvenile stage.

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Size-density strategy displayed by Diadema africanum linked with the stability of urchin-barrens in the Canary Islands

Cited by 6 publications

References 37 publications

Trophic ecology of sea urchins in coral-rocky reef systems, Ecuador

Trophic ecology of sea urchins in coral-rocky reef systems, Ecuador

Disease Outbreak in a Keystone Grazer Population Brings Hope to the Recovery of Macroalgal Forests in a Barren Dominated Island

Revisiting the population status of the sea urchinDiadema antillarumin northern Puerto Rico

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