Spatio-temporal variability in a key herbivore, the long-spined black sea urchin (Diadema antillarum, Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in the Canary Islands
Tuya, F.; Ortega-Borges, L.; Del Rosario-Pínilla, A.B.; Haroun, R.J. (2006). Spatio-temporal variability in a key herbivore, the long-spined black sea urchin (Diadema antillarum, Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in the Canary Islands. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 86(4): 791-797. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315406013713 In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769, more |  |
| Authors | | Top | Datasets | - Tuya, F.
- Ortega-Borges, L.
- Del Rosario-Pínilla, A.B.
- Haroun, R.J.
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| Abstract | Spatio-temporal variability in the population structure of long-spined black sea urchin, D. antillarum across all counts was 2.70±0.07 ind m-2 (mean± E, N=1440), while the mean biomass was 105.76±3.75 g m-2 (mean±SE, N=1440). Abundances and biomasses of D. antillarum differed consistently between vegetated and unvegetated bottoms; however, locations within each habitat at each island fluctuated following different trends. For the overall study, mean densities and biomasses in the barren locations varied between 3.36-6.97 ind m-2 and 93.76-405.13 g m-2, respectively; while mean densities and biomasses in the algal stand locations varied between 0-0.33 ind m-2 and 0 - 7.34 g m-2, respectively. Striking differences existed in the size-structure among locations; however, larger size-classes (test diameter >3.5 cm) were present at all locations, and usually dominated in terms of abundance. The majority of individuals in the algal stands were large-sized, probably as a result of the high abundance of the most palatable food. In contrast, small-sized individuals (test diameter <1.5 cm) only occurred in the barren habitat, suggesting that recruitment of D. antillarum could be favoured by the presence of high densities of congeners, as a way to decrease the risk of predation. |
| Datasets (2) | - PecesCCV: ECOAQUA institute, University Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Spain; (2015): Fish observations delivered by "Canarias por una Costa Viva" project, more
- InvertebratesCCV: ECOAQUA institute, University Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Spain; (2015): Invertebrates observations delivered by "Canarias por una Costa Viva" project, more
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