Skip to main content
Log in

The recolonization potential of Metridium senile in an area previously depopulated by oxygen deficiency

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Oecologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Every summer the deepest parts of the inner Flensburg fjord are subject to O2-deficiency lasting from a few weeks to several months. In spring, however, populations of Metridium senile can be found in these areas, in spite of the fact that frequently the local anoxic period of the previous summer has been 2–3 times longer than their anoxia LD50-value (3 wks).

Responsible for this phenomenon is an intensive recolonization by adult Metridium during autumn and winter. This process has been investigated in an 8 months monitoring from May to December 1981. Results on the recolonization mechanism, the population structure of immigrating anemones and recolonization rate as a function of available hard substratum are presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Dauer DM, Simon JL (1976) Repopulation of the polychaete fauna of an intertidal habitat following natural defaunation: Species equilibrium. Oecologia (Berlin) 22:99–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Dethlefsen V, Westernhagen HV (1982) Sauerstoffmangel in der Deutschen Bucht und seine Wirkung auf Fische und Bodenfauna. Inf Fischwirtsch 29(4):177–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Gemeinsames Komitee Flensburger Förde (1974) Untersuchungen der Flensburger Förde. Selbstverlag, Amstshuset, Aabenraa

    Google Scholar 

  • Jørgensen BB (1980) Seasonal oxygen depletion in the bottom waters of a Danish fjord and its effects on the benthic community. Oikos 34:68–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Kändler R (1963) Hydrographische Untersuchungen über die Abwasserbelastung der Flensburger Förde. Kieler Meeresforsch 19:142–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Rachor E, Albrecht H (1983) Sauerstoffmangel im Bodenwasser der Deutschen Bucht. Veröff Inst Meeresforsch Bremerh 19(2):209–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos SL, Simon JL (1980a) Marine soft bottom community establishment following annual defaunation: Larval or adult recruitment? Mar Ecol Prog Ser 2:235–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos SL, Simon JL (1980b) Response of soft bottom benthos to annual catastrophic disturbance in a south Florida estuary. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 3:347–355

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasaki K, Sato Y, Sugiura K, Matsukawa Y (1977) Mechanisms of formation of an oxygen-deficient watermass in Atsumi Bay. Budget of oxygen below transition layer. Bull Tokai Reg Fish Res Lab 89:43–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon JL, Dauer DM (1977) Reestablishment of a benthic community following natural defaunation. In: Coull BC (ed) Ecology of marine benthos. University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, pp 139–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Theede H, Ponat A, Hiroki K, Schlieper C (1969) Studies on the resistance of marine bottom invertebrates to oxigen deficiency and hydrogen sulphide. Mar Biol 2(4):325–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahl M (1982) In-situ Versuche zum Vorkommen von Metridium senile in der Flensburger Förde. Diplomarbeit, Universität Kiel, FRG

  • Wahl M (1984) The fluffy sea anemone Metridium senile in periodically oxygen-depleted surroundings. Mar Biol 81:81–86

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wahl, M. The recolonization potential of Metridium senile in an area previously depopulated by oxygen deficiency. Oecologia 67, 255–259 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384295

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00384295

Keywords

Navigation