Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diurnal, horizontal and vertical dispersal of kelp-associated fauna

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The kelp Laminaria hyperborea is host for a rich fauna of mobile invertebrates. Dispersal patterns of these animals may be crucial for their availability to visual predators like fish, which are known to search for food in these productive habitats. Diurnal, horizontal and vertical dispersal within and out of the kelp forest were studied by analysing colonization of artificial substrata placed among kelps. The species composition of the fauna was different on three parts of the kelp: lamina, stipes (with epiphytes) and holdfast. The artificial substrata were colonized mainly by species associated with kelp. More species and individuals colonized the artificial substrata at night than during the day. The most abundant faunal groups on the kelps and the artificial substrata were amphipods and gastropods. Both groups dispersed at a significantly higher rate at night than during the day. Rapid horizontal dispersal out of the kelp forest was found. The artificial substrata were also colonized quickly by kelp fauna at all vertical levels inside and above the kelp forest. However, species associated with the kelp holdfast tended to disperse close to the bottom, while stipe-associated fauna moved through all parts of the kelp forest and even above the canopy layer. A high dispersal rate appears common amongst the mobile species living on kelp and seems to be advantageous, despite the risks involved in emigrating from the habitat and being exposed to predators. Higher activity at night may reduce availability to predators.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alldredge, A. L. & J. M. King, 1977. Distribution, abundance and substrate preferences of demersal reef zooplankton at Lizard Island Lagoon, Great Barrier Reef. Mar. Biol. 41: 317–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alldredge, A. L. & J. M. King, 1985. The distance demersal zooplankton migrates above the benthos: implications for predation. Mar. Biol. 84: 253–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bray, J. R. & J. T. Curtis, 1957. An ordination of the upland forest communities of southern Wisconsin. Ecol. Monogr. 27: 325–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bustenes, J. O., H. Christie & S. H. Lorentsen, 1997. Seabirds, kelp beds and kelp trawling: a summary of knowledge. NINA Oppdragsmelding 472: 1-43 (in Norwegian with English summary).

    Google Scholar 

  • Charnov, E. L., 1976. Optimal foraging theory: the marginal value theorem. Theoret. Popul. Biol. 9: 129–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, H., S. Fredriksen & E. Rinde, 1998. Regrowth of kelp and colonization of epiphyte and faunal community after kelp trawling at the coast of Norway. Hydrobiologia 375/376: 49–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, H. & P. Kraufvelin, 2003. Mechanisms regulating amphipod population density within macro algal communities with restricted predator impact. Scientia Marina, EMBS36 special issue: Biological Oceanography at the turn of the Millenium. (In press).

  • Christie, H., N. M. Jørgensen, K. M. Norderhaug & E. Waage-Nielsen, 2003. Species distribution and habitat exploitation of fauna associated with kelp, Laminaria hyperborea, along the Norwegian coast. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 83: 687–699.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colman, J. S. & F. Segrove, 1955. The tidal plankton over Stoupe Beck Sands, Robin Hoods Bay (Yorkshire, North Riding). J. anim. Ecol. 24: 445–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cruz-Riveira, E. & M. E. Hay, 2000. The effect of diet mixing on consumer fitness: macro algae, epiphytes, and animal matter as food for marine amphipods. Oecologia 123: 252–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duggins, D. O., C. A. Simenstad & J. S. Estes, 1989. Magnification of secondary production by kelp detritus in coastal marine ecosystems. Science 245: 170–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duggins, D. O. & J. E. Eckman, 1994. The role of kelp detritus in the growth of benthic suspension feeders in an understory kelp forest. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 176: 53–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edgar, G. J., 1983. The ecology of South-East Tasmanian phytal animal communities, 4. Factors affecting the distribution of amphithoid amphipods among algae. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 70: 205–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagermann, L., 1966. The macro-and microfauna associated with Fucus serratus with some ecological remarks. Ophelia 3: 1–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holmlund, M. B., C. H. Peterson & M. E. Hay, 1990. Does algal morphology affect amphipod susceptibility to fish predation? J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 139: 65–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, R. K., 1987. Diel variation in the abundance of epifauna associated with sea grasses of the Indian River, Florida, U.S.A. Mar. Biol. 96: 137–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, A., 1999. The seaweed resources of Norway. In Critchley, A. T. & M. Ohno (eds), Seaweed Resources of the World. Japan International Cooperation Agency: 200–209.

  • Jones, D. J., 1971. Ecological studies on macro invertebrate populations associated with polluted kelp forests in the North Sea. Helgol. wiss. Meereresunters: 22: 417–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kain, J. M., 1971. The biology of Laminaria hyperborea. Some Norwegian populations. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 51: 387–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennelly, S. J., 1983. An experimental approach to the study of factors affecting algal colonization in a sublittoral kelp forest. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 68: 257–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennelly, S. J., 1991. Caging experiment to examine the effect of fishes on understory species in a sublittoral kelp community. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 147: 207–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuno, E., 1981. Dispersal and the persistence of populations in unstable habitats: a theoretical note. Oecologia 49: 123–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruskal, J. B.,1964a. Multidimensional scaling by optimizing goodness-of-fit to a nonmetric hypothesis. Psychomterica 29: 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruskal, J.B.,1964b. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling: a numerical method. Psychomterica 29: 115–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leber, K. M., 1985. The influence of predatory decapods, refuge and microhabitat selection on sea grass communities. Ecology 1985: 1951–1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann, K. H., 1972. Ecological energetics of the seaweed zone in a marine bay on the Atlantic coast of Canada. II. Productivity of the seaweeds. Mar. Biol. 14: 199–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martel, A. & T. Diefenbach, 1993. Effect on body size, water current and microhabitats on the mucous-thread drifting in postmetamorphic gastropods Lacuna spp. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 99: 215–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, P. G., 1973. The kelp fauna of Northeast Britain. II. Multivariate classification: Turbidity as an ecological factor. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 13: 127–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, P. G., 1986. Levels of heterogeneity and the amphipod fauna of kelp holdfasts. In Moore, P. G. & R. Seed (eds), The Ecology of Rocky Coasts. Colombia University Press, New York: 274–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, W. G., 1979. Experimental studies of selective predation on amphipods: Consequences for amphipod distribution and abundance. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 38: 225–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norderhaug, K. M., H. Christie & E. Rinde, 2002. Colonization of epiphyte and holdfast fauna; a study of mobility patterns. Mar. Biol. 141: 965–973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Jerez, P., C. B. Cebrian & A. R. Espla, 1999. Daily vertical migrations in the epifauna associated with Posidoniaoceanica meadows. J mar. biol. Ass. UK 79: 971–977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shultze, K., K. Janke, A. Krüß & W. Weidemann, 1990. The macrofauna and macroflora associated with Laminaria digitata and L. hyperborea at the island of Helgoland (German bight, North sea). Helgoländer Meeresunters. 44: 39–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepard, R. N., 1962. The analysis of proximities: multidimensional scaling with an unknown distance function. II. Psychometrica 27: 219–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjøtun, K., S. Fredriksen, T. E. Lein, J. Rueness & K. Sivertsen, 1993. Population studies of Laminaria hyperborea from its northern range of distribution in Norway. Hydrobiologia 260/261: 215–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stretch, J. J., 1985. Quantitative sampling of demersal zooplankton: re-entry and airlift dredge sample comparisons. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 91: 125–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vahl, O., 1983. Mucus drifting in the limpet Helcion (= Patina) pellucida (Prosobranchia, Patellidae). Sarsia 68: 209–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vetter, E. W., 1995. Detritus-based patches of high secondary production in the near shore benthos. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 120: 251–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Virnstein, R. V. & M. C. Curran, 1986. Colonization of artificial sea grass versus time and distance from source. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 29: 279–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waage-Nielsen, E., H. Christie & E. Rinde, 2003. Short-term dispersal of kelp fauna to cleared (kelp-harvested) areas. Hydrobiologia 503 (Dev. Hydrobiol. 174): 77–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watkin, E. E., 1941. Observations on the night tidal migrant Crustaceans of Kanes Bay. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 25: 81–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittick, A., 1983. Spatial and temporal distribution of dominant epiphytes on the stipes of Laminaria hyperborea (Gunn.) Fosl. (Phaeophyta: Laminariales) in S. E. Scotland. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 73: 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winder, L., 1990. Predation of the cerial ahid Sitobion avenae by polyphagous predators on the ground. Ecol. Entomology 15: 105–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaret, T. M. & J. S. Suffern, 1976. Vertical migration in zooplankton as a predator-avoidance mechanism. Limnol. Oceanogr. 21: 804–813.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, P.O. Box 736, Sentrum, 0105, Oslo, Norway

    Nina Mari Jørgensen & Hartvig Christie

Authors
  1. Nina Mari Jørgensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hartvig Christie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jørgensen, N.M., Christie, H. Diurnal, horizontal and vertical dispersal of kelp-associated fauna. Hydrobiologia 503, 69–76 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000008491.89382.e5

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000008491.89382.e5

Search

Navigation