Movement and feeding activity of red sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) adjacent to a kelp forest |
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Authors: | J E Mattison J D Trent A L Shanks T B Akin J S Pearse |
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Institution: | (1) Coastal Marine Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, California, USA;(2) 234 San Miguel Ave, 93901 Salinas, California, USA |
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Abstract: | Movement and feeding were studied in a population of red sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus franciscanus (Agassiz, 1863), found within and immediately seaward of a kelp forest offshore from Santa Cruz, California, USA. Mean sea urchin movements varied from 7.5 cm/day inside the kelp forest to over 50 cm/day at 15 and 100 m outside the kelp forest. The percentage of sea urchins feeding decreased from 66% inside the kelp forest to 16 and 15% at 15 and 100 m outside the kelp forest. These data indicate that movement by these sea urchins is a response to a low food supply. |
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