Document of bibliographic reference 324211

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Growth in a modular colonial marine invertebrate

Abstract

Growth rate, temporal variability and secondary production were quantified for the Mediterranean gorgonianParamuricea clavataoff Medes Islands, NW Mediterranean. Fifty-four colonies ranging in size between 5 and 860 cm in total length (3–55 cm maximum height) were monitored photographically for 2 years. Growth varied between and within years. Primary branches accounted for 91% of production, though their growth rates were highly variable (on average 23% of branches displayed zero growth). The gross growth rate of primary branches in colonies <20 cm was higher (0·8 cm year⁻¹) than that of colonies >20 cm (0·5 cm years⁻¹). On average, net growth of primary branches (0·4 cm year⁻¹) was approximately 60% of positive growth. There was a significant size-specific negative growth effect in which smaller colonies displayed higher rates of loss. Mean growth in colony height was 1·8 cm year⁻¹(range: 0·2–6·4 cm year⁻¹). Based on growth rate data, the largest colonies in the population (55 cm) were around 31 years old. On average, net production for all colonies was 75% of gross production. Gross production was 4·4 g AFDW m⁻²year⁻¹, the production/biomass value was 0·11, and the turnover time was 9 years. Growth rate and its variation with colony size are discussed within the framework of the life history traits of the species.

WebOfScience code

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000076708300007

Bibliographic citation

Coma, R.; Ribes, M.; Zabala, M.; Gili, J.-M. (1998). Growth in a modular colonial marine invertebrate. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 47(4): 459-470. https://dx.doi.org/10.1006/ecss.1998.0375

Topic

Marine

Is peer reviewed

true