Document of bibliographic reference 324125

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Structure, growth and secondary production of two Tyrrhenian populations of the white gorgonian Eunicella singularis (Esper 1791)

Abstract

Growth and secondary production of the shallow-water gorgonian Eunicella singularis were investigated at two infralittoral rocky stations located in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Cannitello and Cape Enfola), separated by a cline of 4° latitude. Colonies were aged by counting the number of annual growth rings at the base of the skeleton. Mean annual linear growth rates were calculated by fitting a von Bertalanffy growth equation for the species. Growth rates were 3.55 and 4.52 cm yr⁻¹ respectively. The Enfola population exhibited an age structure reflecting a past pulse in recruitment. The Cannitello population exhibited a gamma-type distribution, dominated by younger age classes, thus suggesting a continuous recruitment rate over time. The two population differed also in colony density, which was higher at Enfola. Secondary production was estimated by means of the increment-summation method, and yielded 5.6 and 3.2 g ash-free dry weight (AFDW) m⁻² yr⁻¹ for Cannitello and Enfola populations, respectively. P/B ratio was higher at Cannitello, because of the age structure of the population. Strong currents probably cause population density-thinning mechanisms, favoring a more continuous recruitment.

WebOfScience code

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000316427900018

Bibliographic citation

Munari, C.; Serafin, G.; Mistri, M. (2013). Structure, growth and secondary production of two Tyrrhenian populations of the white gorgonian Eunicella singularis (Esper 1791). Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 119: 162-166. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2013.01.007

Topic

Marine

Is peer reviewed

true