Inhibition of coral recruitment by macroalgae and cyanobacteria

    Authors

    I. B. Kuffner; L. J. Walters; M. A. Becerro; V. J. Paul; R. Ritson-Williams;K. S. Beach

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Mar. Ecol.-Prog. Ser.

    Keywords

    allelopathy; coral-algae interactions; Dictyota spp.; Lyngbya spp.; phase shift; BENTHIC CYANOBACTERIA; SCLERACTINIAN CORAL; POCILLOPORA-DAMICORNIS; LARVAL METAMORPHOSIS; NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT; JUVENILE CORALS; CLIMATE-CHANGE; ALGAL BIOMASS; DICTYOTA SPP.; PHASE-SHIFTS; Ecology; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Oceanography

    Abstract

    Coral recruitment, is a key process in the maintenance and recovery of coral reef ecosystems. While intense competition between coral and algae is often assumed on reefs that have undergone phase shifts from coral to algal dominance, data examining the competitive interactions involved, particularly during the larval and immediate post-settlement stage, are scarce. Using a series of field and outdoor seawater table experiments, we tested the hypothesis that common species of macroalgae and cyanobacteria inhibit coral recruitment. We examined the effects of Lyngbya spp., Dictyota spp., Lobophora variegata (J. V. Lamouroux) Womersley, and Chondrophycus poiteaui (J. V. Lamouroux) Nam (formerly Laurencia poiteaui) on the recruitment success of Porites astreoides larvae. All species but C. poiteaui caused either recruitment inhibition or avoidance behavior in P. astreoides larvae, while L. confervoides and D. menstrualis significantly increased mortality rates of P. astreoides recruits. We also tested the effect of some of these macrophytes on larvae of the gorgonian octocoral Briareum asbestinum. Exposure to Lyngbya majuscula reduced survival and recruitment in the octocoral larvae. Our results provide evidence that algae and cyanobacteria use tactics beyond space occupation to inhibit coral recruitment. On reefs experiencing phase shifts or temporary algal blooms, the restocking of adult coral populations may be slowed due to recruitment inhibition, thereby perpetuating reduced coral cover and limiting coral community recovery.

    Journal Title

    Marine Ecology Progress Series

    Volume

    323

    Publication Date

    1-1-2006

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    107

    Last Page

    117

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000241921700010

    ISSN

    0171-8630

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