Title

Field Biology Of Halimeda Tuna (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) Across A Depth Gradient: Comparative Growth, Survivorship, Recruitment, And Reproduction

Keywords

Alizarin; Coral reef; Dictyota; Ericthonius brasiliensis; Florida Keys; Halimeda tuna

Abstract

Growth, survivorship, recruitment, and reproduction of Halimeda tuna, a dominant green alga in many reef systems of the Florida Keys, were monitored at a shallow back reef (4-7 m) and deep reef slope (15-22 m) on Conch Reef. Despite lower light intensities and similar grazing pressures, amphipod infestations, and epiphyte loads at both sites, the deeper site exhibited significantly higher growth rates in summer months over a 4-year period than found for the shallow population, possibly because of higher nutrient levels at depth and photoinhibition of shallow plants. Sexual reproductive events occurred simultaneously across the entire reef, with up to 5% of the population at both sites developing gametangia. New upright axes formed from zygotes, asexual fragmentation, or vegetative runners. Plants appear to have persistent basal stumps that survive harsh environmental conditions, even if upright, photosynthetic axes are removed. Sexual reproduction and 'smothering' by epiphyte overgrowth are hypothesized to be two causes of death for individuals.

Publication Date

7-1-2003

Publication Title

Hydrobiologia

Volume

501

Number of Pages

149-166

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026287816324

Socpus ID

0344928515 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/0344928515

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