Title

Inhibition Of Coral Recruitment By Macroalgae And Cyanobacteria

Keywords

Allelopathy; Coral-algae interactions; Dictyota spp.; Lyngbya spp.; Phase shift

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. © Inter-Research 2006.

Publication Date

10-5-2006

Publication Title

Marine Ecology Progress Series

Volume

323

Number of Pages

107-117

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.3354/meps323107

Socpus ID

33750627153 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/33750627153

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