Coexistence in a subtidal habitat in southern Chile: the effects of giant kelpMacrocystis pyriferaovergrowth on the slipper limpetCrepipatella fecunda Artículo académico uri icon

Abstracto

  • In many coastal areas substrate is the limiting resource for benthic organisms. Some sessile species can be used as secondary substrate, reducing competition and increasing coexistence. In southern Chile, annual populations ofMacrocystis pyriferarecruit and grow on the shells ofCrepipatella fecunda.This study describes ecological interactions between the kelp and the slipper limpet over an annual cycle. The degree of kelp overgrowth was established by collecting sporophytes and throughin situsubmarine photography over a 10 month period (starting when kelp recruits became visible and ending when sporophytes were no longer present). Changes in the biochemical composition of the limpet tissue were also recorded by chemical analyses, to evaluate the potential effects (positive/neutral/negative) of kelp onC. fecundanutritional condition. The results indicate that both species coexist, although kelp overgrowth may cause a decrease in carbohydrates inC. fecundatissues, restricted to the period when the kelp forest reaches its maximum biomass. Individually, the short duration of the maximum overgrowth period and the size reached byC. fecundafemales (up to 65 mm shell length) may enable rapid limpet recovery, avoiding competitive exclusion. On a population level, theM. pyriferaannual cycle generates the needed ‘break’ forC. fecundapopulations, reducing the effects of kelp overgrowth. Thus, in the view of the neutral effect of kelp overgrowth, together with the positive effect ofC. fecundaonM. pyriferarecruitment described somewhere else, this ecological interaction can be categorized as commensalism.

fecha de publicación

  • 2015

Número de páginas

  • 8

Página inicial

  • 25

Última página

  • 33

Volumen

  • 95

Cuestión

  • 1