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Effects of micro- and mesograzers on intertidal macroalgal recruitment

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Abstract

This study examined the effects of a guild of micrograzing harpacticoid copepods (dominated by two species of Paradactylopodia sp. nov. and one species of Scutellidium sp. nov.) and a mesograzing periwinkle, Afrolittorina praetermissa, on the early recruitment of intertidal macroalgae on a wave-exposed, rocky shore. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine the effects of micrograzers (<500 μm) on intertidal macroalgal recruitment. Data showed that microscopic harpacticoid copepods altered the assemblages and reduced the densities of several macroalgal taxa, while A. praetermissa changed the assemblages and reduced both the density and number of macroalgal taxa. Recruitment of encrusting coralline algae was actually higher in copepod inclusions than exclusions, suggesting that copepods may be beneficial to the recruitment of this algal group. These results contribute to the understanding of grazing as a factor causing high mortality of algal recruits, but also highlight the need for more studies that examine the effects of micro- and mesograzers on the distribution and abundance of macroalgae.

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Acknowledgments

Access to study sites within the Mornington Peninsula National Park (now part of the Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park) was gratefully appreciated. Dr. B. Burton, Dr. M. Wheatley, Dr. M. Burd and P. Druce are much appreciated for their assistance with fieldwork. K. Miles, R. Watson and P. Domelow provided technical assistance and advice throughout. Comments from Drs. M. Wheatley, M.N. Aoki and A.R.O. Chapman improved the manuscript. This research was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award. Prof M.N. Clayton is thanked and acknowledged for her supervision throughout this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia

    Alecia Bellgrove & Gerry P. Quinn

  2. Victorian Marine Science Consortium, Queenscliff, VIC, 3225, Australia

    Alecia Bellgrove & Gerry P. Quinn

  3. Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, PO Box 423, Warrnambool, VIC, 3280, Australia

    Alecia Bellgrove, Jacquomo Monk & Gerry P. Quinn

Authors
  1. Alecia Bellgrove
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  2. Jacquomo Monk
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  3. Gerry P. Quinn
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Correspondence to Alecia Bellgrove.

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Communicated by F. Bulleri.

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Bellgrove, A., Monk, J. & Quinn, G.P. Effects of micro- and mesograzers on intertidal macroalgal recruitment. Mar Biol 161, 1207–1216 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-014-2411-0

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