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Reversal of digestive interactions between Pacific reef corals: Mediation by sweeper tentacles

Oecologia volume 47, pages 340–343 (1980)Cite this article

Summary

Aggressive interactions among reef corals involving direct interference through extracoelenteric digestion has previously been considered as a potential mechanism for the maintenance of high species diversity. In this report I show that induced development of sweeper tentacles can reverse initial digestive interactions. In the eastern Pacific these reversals contribute to resource monopolization by fast growing pocilloporid corals. This suggests that other mechanisms must account for the maintenance of local species diversity.

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Affiliations

  1. Marine Science Institute, University of California, 93106, Santa Barbara, Ca, USA

    Gerard M. Wellington

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, 93106, Santa Barbara, Ca, USA

    Gerard M. Wellington

  3. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute APO, 34002, Miami, Fl, USA

    Gerard M. Wellington

Authors
  1. Gerard M. Wellington
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Wellington, G.M. Reversal of digestive interactions between Pacific reef corals: Mediation by sweeper tentacles. Oecologia 47, 340–343 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00398527

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00398527

Keywords

  • Reef Coral
  • Species Diversity
  • Potential Mechanism
  • Local Species
  • Aggressive Interaction