Field biology of Halimeda tuna (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) across a depth gradient: comparative growth, survivorship, recruitment, and reproduction

Growth, survivorship, recruitment, and reproduction of Halimeda tuna, a dominant green alga in many reef systems of the Florida Keys, were monitored at a shallow back reef (4-7m) and deep reef slope (15-22 m) on Conch Reef. Despite lower light intensities and similar grazing pressures, amphipod infe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 2003-07, Vol.501 (1-3), p.149-166
Main Authors: VROOM, Peter S, SMITH, Celia M, COYER, James A, WALTERS, Linda J, HUNTER, Cynthia L, BEACH, Kevin S, SMITH, Jennifer E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Aquatic plants
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Bryopsidales
Coral reefs
Demecology
Environmental conditions
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Halimeda tuna
Marine
Marine biology
Plant reproduction
Plants and fungi
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Summary:Growth, survivorship, recruitment, and reproduction of Halimeda tuna, a dominant green alga in many reef systems of the Florida Keys, were monitored at a shallow back reef (4-7m) and deep reef slope (15-22 m) on Conch Reef. Despite lower light intensities and similar grazing pressures, amphipod infestations, and epiphyte loads at both sites, the deeper site exhibited significantly higher growth rates in summer months over a 4-year period than found for the shallow population, possibly because of higher nutrient levels at depth and photoinhibition of shallow plants. Sexual reproductive events occurred simultaneously across the entire reef, with up to 5% of the population at both sites developing gametangia. New upright axes formed from zygotes, asexual fragmentation, or vegetative runners. Plants appear to have persistent basal stumps that survive harsh environmental conditions, even if upright, photosynthetic axes are removed. Sexual reproduction and 'smothering' by epiphyte overgrowth are hypothesized to be two causes of death for individuals.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1023/A:1026287816324