Comparative ecology of subtidal actiniarians from the coasts of California and the Gulf of Maine, USA

Shallow subtidal populations of sea anemones occupying hard substrates along the California (Pacific) and Gulf of Maine (Atlantic) coasts of the USA are compared. The diversity of anemones in the southern Gulf of Maine to 35 m is low (4 species) in contrast to similar habitats in California (at leas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 1991-06, Vol.216-217 (1), p.271-278
Main Author: Harris, Larry G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actiniaria
Marine
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Summary:Shallow subtidal populations of sea anemones occupying hard substrates along the California (Pacific) and Gulf of Maine (Atlantic) coasts of the USA are compared. The diversity of anemones in the southern Gulf of Maine to 35 m is low (4 species) in contrast to similar habitats in California (at least 11 species), bur parallel patterns of individual size, distribution and predation impacts occur. Water motion influences depth distribution and size, while predation affects size, population structure and habitat selection. The nudibranch Aeolidia papillosa exerts a similar pressure on population structure in some anemone species in both areas as a size selective predator. The seastar Dermasterias imbricata appears to magnify the selective pressure for large size in the eastern Pacific coastal zone. Interspecific aggression of anemones determines some distribution patterns in areas of overlap.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/BF00026474