Ecological lever and interface ecology: epibiosis modulates the interactions between host and environment

The properties of the body surface play a crucial role in most interactions of marine organisms. Critical ecological properties such as drag, morphology, uptake and release of radiation and organic matter are linked to the body surface of an aquatic organism. The properties and functions of this int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biofouling (Chur, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2008-01, Vol.24 (6), p.427-438
Main Author: Wahl, Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological
Animals
Biofilms
Body Constitution
Competitive Behavior
ecological lever function
Ecosystem
epibiosis
Feeding Behavior
indirect effects
interaction modulation
Marine
Surface Properties
Symbiosis
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Summary:The properties of the body surface play a crucial role in most interactions of marine organisms. Critical ecological properties such as drag, morphology, uptake and release of radiation and organic matter are linked to the body surface of an aquatic organism. The properties and functions of this interface may be modified substantially by the presence and activities of epibiotic communities. This, in turn, may lead to substantial modulation of the interactions between the organism bearing epiphytes and its environment, with consequences for the relative fitness of the host organism (basibiont) and its interactors, and ultimately, the structure and functioning of the assemblage. Epibiosis may act as an ecological lever via these indirect effects, greatly amplifying or buffering biotic and abiotic stress.
ISSN:0892-7014
1029-2454
DOI:10.1080/08927010802339772