Temporal variation in seaweed and invertebrate assemblages in shallow rhodolith beds of Baja California Sur, México

McConnico, Laurie A.; Carmona, Gustavo Hernández; Morales, Josué S. Martínez; Rodríguez, Rafael Riosmena

doi:10.1016/j.aquabot.2017.02.007

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…In the study area, previous research has observed an increase in rhodolith size from 18 m to 25 m, followed by decrease from 25 m to 40 m [26]. As observed in this study, the biomass of epiphytic algae also varies with depth, probably linked with a larger light availability at shallower depths [36][37][38]. Increases in the heterogeneity and complexity of the available habitat through epiphytic algae attached to rhodoliths underpins a "habitat cascade" effect [39], inducing an increment in the biomass of invertebrates, e.g., amphipods [40].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Brachyuran Crabs (Decapoda) Associated with Rhodolith Beds: Spatio-Temporal Variability at Gran Canaria Island

et al. 2020

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Crustaceans are a key component of the fauna living in rhodoliths, but patterns in their distribution and abundance remain largely unknown. This paper assessed spatio-temporal variability of Brachyura associated with rhodoliths. A seasonal study was conducted at three depth layers (18, 25, and 40 m), throughout two years (December 2015 to October 2017) at Gran Canaria Island (eastern Atlantic Ocean). A total of 765 crabs belonging to 10 species were collected. A larger abundance and richness of crabs at 25 m correlated with a larger biomass of epiphytic algae attached to rhodoliths. A seasonal pattern was also observed, where a higher richness of crabs occurred in the summer. The Xanthid crab, Nanocassiope melanodactylus, dominated the assemblage (83%); juveniles of this species were more abundant in deeper waters (40 m), while adults were more abundant on the shallower depth layers (18 m and 25 m). The species Pilmunus hirtellus was restricted to 25 m. Nevertheless, Pisa carinimana and Achaeus cranchii did not show any spatio-temporal pattern. In summary, this study demonstrated that two conspicuous crabs, N. melanodactylus and P. hirtellus, associated with rhodolith beds are bathymetrically segregated.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Brachyuran Crabs (Decapoda) Associated with Rhodolith Beds: Spatio-Temporal Variability at Gran Canaria Island

et al. 2020

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“…Recently, Otero-Ferrer et al (2020) described, for the study area, an increase in rhodolith size (diameter) from 18 to 25 m, and a decrease from 25 to 40 m, which can promote larger abundances of amphipods at 25 m. At the same time, the lower richness and abundance of amphipods at 40 m is coincident with a significant decrease in epiphytic algal biomass. The bathymetrical pattern shown by epiphytic algal biomass was probably linked with a higher light availability at shallower depths (Connell 2005), which has also been described from other rhodolith seabeds (Pascelli et al 2013;McConnico et al 2017). The presence of vegetation (here, epiphytic algae on rhodoliths) can enhance the heterogeneity and complexity of the habitat available for epifauna (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Spatio-temporal variability of amphipod assemblages associated with rhodolith seabeds

Navarro-Mayoral

Fernandez-González

Otero‐Ferrer

et al. 2021

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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Rhodolith seabeds are habitats underpinned by free-living calcareous macroalgae. We partitioned the relevance of the scale of temporal (four seasons throughout two successive years) and spatial (three depth strata: 18, 25 and 40m) variation on the diversity, structure and abundance of amphipod assemblages living in rhodolith seabeds from Gran Canaria Island. In total, 3996 individuals, belonging to 32 taxa, were identified. Multivariate analyses showed consistent differences in assemblage structure among seasons and depths; more diverse and abundant amphipod assemblages were often observed during spring at 18- and 25-m than at 40-m depth. Ovigerous females of Gammaropsis ostroumowi and Ampithoe ramondi were observed mainly at 18 and 25m. Juveniles of both species were exclusively recorded at 18 and 25m, so denoting a clear segregation in their population structure with depth. In summary, this study has demonstrated that the ecological pattern of amphipods associated with rhodolith seabeds can vary greatly across both time (seasons) and space (depth).

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“…McConnico et al . (2017) reported an increase in molluscs in the summer following an increase in macroalgal biomass in a rhodolith bed off Baja California, Mexico. Here, the opposite occurred.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Water motion (e.g. tidal currents and storms) may fragment rhodoliths, reducing their structural complexity and thus, habitat heterogeneity (McConnico et al ., 2017). However, periodic rotation is necessary as it allows light to reach all sides of the thalli (Hinojosa-Arango et al ., 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When descriptive ecology meets physiology: a study in a South Atlantic rhodolith bed

et al. 2020

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This study presents two years of characterization of a warm temperate rhodolith bed in order to analyse how certain environmental changes influence the community ecology. The biomass of rhodoliths and associated species were analysed during this period and in situ experiments were conducted to evaluate the primary production, calcification and respiration of the dominant species of rhodoliths and epiphytes. The highest total biomass of rhodoliths occurred during austral winter. Lithothamnion crispatum was the most abundant rhodolith species in austral summer. Epiphytic macroalgae occurred only in January 2015, with Padina gymnospora being the most abundant. Considering associated fauna, the biomass of Mollusca increased from February 2015 to February 2016. Population densities of key reef fish species inside and around the rhodolith beds showed significant variations in time. The densities of grouper (carnivores/piscivores) increased in time, especially from 2015 to 2016. On the other hand, grunts (macroinvertebrate feeders) had a modest decrease over time (from 2014 to 2016). Other parameters such as primary production and calcification of L. crispatum were higher under enhanced irradiance, yet decreased in the presence of P. gymnospora. Community structure and physiological responses can be explained by the interaction of abiotic and biotic factors, which are driven by environmental changes over time. Biomass changes can indicate that herbivores play a role in limiting the growth of epiphytes, and this is beneficial to the rhodoliths because it decreases competition for environmental resources with fleshy algae.

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Temporal variation in seaweed and invertebrate assemblages in shallow rhodolith beds of Baja California Sur, México

Cited by 11 publications

References 46 publications

Brachyuran Crabs (Decapoda) Associated with Rhodolith Beds: Spatio-Temporal Variability at Gran Canaria Island

Brachyuran Crabs (Decapoda) Associated with Rhodolith Beds: Spatio-Temporal Variability at Gran Canaria Island

Spatio-temporal variability of amphipod assemblages associated with rhodolith seabeds

When descriptive ecology meets physiology: a study in a South Atlantic rhodolith bed

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