Settlement, recruitment and potential predators and competitors of juvenile echinoderms in the rocky subtidal zone |
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Authors: | Lindsay B Jennings Heather L Hunt |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 5050, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L 4L5, Canada |
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Abstract: | Recruitment patterns of marine invertebrates are affected both by settlement and early post-settlement events. This study
examined the settlement and recruitment patterns of echinoderms at three sites in the rocky subtidal zone of Bocabec Cove,
Bay of Fundy, Canada using artificial turf collectors and quadrats on the natural substrate. Potential predators were quantified
at two of the sites along transects and in 1-m2 quadrats. Both potential predators and competitors were quantified in 0.0625-m2 quadrats. Settlement varied across sites (1.5–3 km apart) and two years of sampling (2004, 2005). The site of most potential
settlement differed for the three groups of echinoderms: sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis), sea stars (Asterias spp.) and sea cucumber (Psolus fabricii). Settlement densities on the artificial turf collectors tended to be greater than the densities of settlers on the natural
substrate. On the natural substrate, the only significant difference between densities of juveniles over time was that newly
settled sea stars were found in July and were not found the following October. Large lobsters and carnivorous worms were potential
predators with densities that varied between sites. Potential competitors that differed in abundance between sites were herbivorous
gastropods and conspecifics for sea urchins; and carnivorous worms for sea stars. This study suggests that patterns of recruitment
are either set up by patterns of settlement or by events during the first few weeks/months on the benthic substrate for these
echinoderms. |
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