Grazing damage and encrustation by an invasive bryozoan reduce the ability of kelps to withstand breakage by waves

Kira A. Krumhansl; J. Michael Lee; Robert E. Scheibling

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2011.06.033

Grazing damage and encrustation by an invasive bryozoan reduce the ability of kelps to withstand breakage by waves

Kira A. Krumhansl, J. Michael Lee, Robert E. Scheibling

Medicine

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

77 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Increased breakage of macroalgal fronds during large wave events can significantly reduce canopy cover and biomass. We examined the effects of encrustation by the invasive bryozoan Membranipora membranacea and damage by the snail Lacuna vincta on the ability of kelp blades (Saccharina longicruris, Laminaria digitata, and Laminaria complanata) to withstand wave forces. Using standard materials testing procedures, we documented significant reductions in the maximum stress before breakage, toughness, and extensibility of blade material following bryozoan encrustation. Histological sections of blade tissue indicated a significant degradation of the outer layers of cells following prolonged encrustation by M. membranacea as a likely cause of weakening. Full-thickness perforations and partial-thickness grazing scars also reduced blade strength, suggesting that grazing damage can initiate cracks that lead to blade breakage. Our findings provide a mechanistic link between the damaging effects of mesograzers and encrusting bryozoa on their algal hosts and the export of detrital material from subtidal kelp beds.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	12-18
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Volume	407
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2011.06.033
Publication status	Published - Oct 15 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank J. Lindley for field assistance, and P. Colp for her expertise and guidance in histology. We also thank E. Carrington for technical advice, the use of her laboratory facilities at Friday Harbor Laboratories, Washington, USA, and comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript. We also thank 1 anonymous reviewer for comments on the submitted manuscript. This research was funded by a Discovery Grant and a Strategic Networks Grant (Canadian Healthy Oceans Network) to R.E.S. from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada. K.A.K. was supported by a Dalhousie University Scholarship. [ST]

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Aquatic Science

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title = "Grazing damage and encrustation by an invasive bryozoan reduce the ability of kelps to withstand breakage by waves",

abstract = "Increased breakage of macroalgal fronds during large wave events can significantly reduce canopy cover and biomass. We examined the effects of encrustation by the invasive bryozoan Membranipora membranacea and damage by the snail Lacuna vincta on the ability of kelp blades (Saccharina longicruris, Laminaria digitata, and Laminaria complanata) to withstand wave forces. Using standard materials testing procedures, we documented significant reductions in the maximum stress before breakage, toughness, and extensibility of blade material following bryozoan encrustation. Histological sections of blade tissue indicated a significant degradation of the outer layers of cells following prolonged encrustation by M. membranacea as a likely cause of weakening. Full-thickness perforations and partial-thickness grazing scars also reduced blade strength, suggesting that grazing damage can initiate cracks that lead to blade breakage. Our findings provide a mechanistic link between the damaging effects of mesograzers and encrusting bryozoa on their algal hosts and the export of detrital material from subtidal kelp beds.",

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note = "Funding Information: We thank J. Lindley for field assistance, and P. Colp for her expertise and guidance in histology. We also thank E. Carrington for technical advice, the use of her laboratory facilities at Friday Harbor Laboratories, Washington, USA, and comments on an earlier draft of this manuscript. We also thank 1 anonymous reviewer for comments on the submitted manuscript. This research was funded by a Discovery Grant and a Strategic Networks Grant (Canadian Healthy Oceans Network) to R.E.S. from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada. K.A.K. was supported by a Dalhousie University Scholarship. [ST]",

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Grazing damage and encrustation by an invasive bryozoan reduce the ability of kelps to withstand breakage by waves

Abstract

Bibliographical note

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

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