Colonisation of kelp imitations by epiphyte and holdfast fauna; a study of mobility patterns

The kelp Laminaria hyperborea provides a habitat for a diverse invertebrate community. Invertebrate abundance is particularly high in the kelp holdfasts and associated with epiphytes on the stipes. We investigated colonisation patterns of this fauna on artificial substrata (holdfast and epiphyte mim...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biology 2002-11, Vol.141 (5), p.965-973
Main Authors: NORDERHAUG, K. M, CHRISTIE, H, RINDE, E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Amphipoda
Animal and plant ecology
Animal population
Animal populations
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Aquatic crustaceans
Artificial substrata
Autumn
Biological and medical sciences
Colonization
Epiphytes
Fasteners
Fauna
Flowers & plants
Food chains
Food webs
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gastropoda
Habitats
Holdfasts
Invertebrata
Invertebrates
Kelp
Kelp beds
Laminaria hyperborea
Marine
Marine biology
Marine molluscs
Mobility
Mytilus edulis
Oceans
Polychaeta
Population density
Sea water ecosystems
Stipes
Summer
Synecology
Trophic levels
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Summary:The kelp Laminaria hyperborea provides a habitat for a diverse invertebrate community. Invertebrate abundance is particularly high in the kelp holdfasts and associated with epiphytes on the stipes. We investigated colonisation patterns of this fauna on artificial substrata (holdfast and epiphyte mimics) exposed for short time periods in the kelp forest in two seasons, summer and late autumn. Within 7 days, 99 taxa common on natural kelp substratum colonised the artificial substrata in large numbers, demonstrating high mobility and indicating that there may be a rapid exchange of individuals and species among algae. Gastropods and amphipods were the most abundant colonisers. In summer, a specific "epiphyte fauna" could be distinguished from a "holdfast fauna", and species associated with epiphytes were significantly more abundant on the artificial substrata. Colonisation was more rapid in summer than in late autumn, which may be related to animal population density. The high dispersal rate can facilitate the interaction with other communities and with higher trophic levels in the kelp-forest food web.
ISSN:0025-3162
1432-1793
DOI:10.1007/s00227-002-0893-7