A comparison of epifauna and epiphytes on native kelps (Laminaria species) and an invasive alga (Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides) in Nova Scotia, Canada

Allison L. Schmidt; Robert E. Scheibling

doi:10.1515/BOT.2006.039

A comparison of epifauna and epiphytes on native kelps (Laminaria species) and an invasive alga (Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides) in Nova Scotia, Canada

Allison L. Schmidt, Robert E. Scheibling

Medicine

Medicine

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

79 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We compared epifaunal and epiphytic assemblages on the invasive alga, Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides, with those on native kelps, Laminaria longicruris and L. digitata, at a moderately exposed site on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. Thalli of each algal host (Laminaria and/or Codium) were sampled in two stands with monospecific canopy cover and one mixed canopy stand (Laminaria and Codium) in June and November 2004 and February 2005. Epifaunal assemblages on both fronds and holdfasts differed between algal species and among months, but no differences were detected between mixed and monospecific stands for each host type. Fronds of Laminaria supported greater densities of gastropods and asteroids, while amphipods, harpacticoid copepods, and a specialist herbivore (Placida dendritica) were more abundant on fronds of Codium. Holdfasts of Codium supported greater densities of nematodes and bivalves. Diversity of epifauna was greater on fronds of Codium than Laminaria and similar on holdfasts of both species. Codium supported a greater density of epiphytes than Laminaria. Total frond area of Laminaria and/ or Codium and density of epifauna per m² of substratum did not differ between stands. Our results suggest that habitat selection by epibionts is likely determined by specific chemical, structural and morphological characteristics of the algal species, rather than the amount of habitable area available for colonization.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	315-330
Number of pages	16
Journal	Botanica Marina
Volume	49
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1515/BOT.2006.039
Publication status	Published - Sept 1 2006

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We are indebted to A. Pinder, J. Lindley, O. D’Amours, D.A. Lyons, M. Saunders, M. Ulett and S. King for their invaluable assistance in the field and laboratory. B. Hatcher, E. Kenching-ton, D. Ibarra, A.R.O. Chapman and two anonymous reviewers provided helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. This project was funded by a Discovery Grant to R.E.S. by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Aquatic Science
Plant Science

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10.1515/BOT.2006.039

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title = "A comparison of epifauna and epiphytes on native kelps (Laminaria species) and an invasive alga (Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides) in Nova Scotia, Canada",

abstract = "We compared epifaunal and epiphytic assemblages on the invasive alga, Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides, with those on native kelps, Laminaria longicruris and L. digitata, at a moderately exposed site on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. Thalli of each algal host (Laminaria and/or Codium) were sampled in two stands with monospecific canopy cover and one mixed canopy stand (Laminaria and Codium) in June and November 2004 and February 2005. Epifaunal assemblages on both fronds and holdfasts differed between algal species and among months, but no differences were detected between mixed and monospecific stands for each host type. Fronds of Laminaria supported greater densities of gastropods and asteroids, while amphipods, harpacticoid copepods, and a specialist herbivore (Placida dendritica) were more abundant on fronds of Codium. Holdfasts of Codium supported greater densities of nematodes and bivalves. Diversity of epifauna was greater on fronds of Codium than Laminaria and similar on holdfasts of both species. Codium supported a greater density of epiphytes than Laminaria. Total frond area of Laminaria and/ or Codium and density of epifauna per m2 of substratum did not differ between stands. Our results suggest that habitat selection by epibionts is likely determined by specific chemical, structural and morphological characteristics of the algal species, rather than the amount of habitable area available for colonization.",

author = "Schmidt, {Allison L.} and Scheibling, {Robert E.}",

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A comparison of epifauna and epiphytes on native kelps (Laminaria species) and an invasive alga (Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides) in Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

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