Diversity structure and interactions of encrustin

Authors: Piotr Kuklinski Beate Bader

Publish Date: 2006/11/15

Volume: 30, Issue: 6, Pages: 709-717

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Abstract

Drop stones with lithophyllic macrofauna from Belgica Bank Greenland Sea 79–81°N and 5–17°W were collected during the Polarstern cruise in August 2000 The investigation focussed on species richness diversity abundance and interactions of organisms colonizing rocks On 101 stones collected by 10 dredges from nine sites 113 taxa 58 genera 38 families 12 orders and 8 phyla were recognized Among the most abundant groups of organisms were foraminiferans bryozoans and polychaetes while the least abundant were anthozoans and ascidians Abundance ranged from 1239 to 11383 individuals m−2 of rock surface area Bryozoans were the most speciesrich group while anthozoans and ascidians were represented by the least number of species Colonization occurred at various topographical levels and was classified into two categories Stones were classified as primary space and were colonized by erect membranous erect flexible erect rigid and flat encrusting organisms The second level of colonization by epibionts occurred on erect forms of organisms eg erect bryozoans and was classified as a secondary space Species composition and abundance between faunal assemblages of primary and secondary space differed greatly Colonization occurred only on the top of stones and was considered a special adaptation to avoid burial by sedimentation and to enhance food supply Only 3 of recruits were involved in any competitive interactions Competition was considered to be of minor importance in structuring lithophyllic assemblagesThe authors wish to thank Dr Paul D Taylor Dr Suzanne “Williams” and three anonymous referees for comments leading to an improved manuscript The study has been completed thanks to the financial support from Otto Kinne Foundation and BRYOARC EU Marie Curie programme

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