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'Co-consumption' and 'protective coating': two new proposed effects of epiphytes on their macro algal hosts in mesograzer-epiphyte-host interactions.
Karez, Rolf, Engelbert, Silke and Sommer, Ulrich (2000) 'Co-consumption' and 'protective coating': two new proposed effects of epiphytes on their macro algal hosts in mesograzer-epiphyte-host interactions. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 205 . pp. 85-93. DOI 10.3354/meps205085.
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Abstract
Multiple-choice feeding experiments were performed with the isopod Idotea granulosa and the amphipod Gammarus locusta as consumers. In a first experiment, 2 different types of tissues of the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus and its main macroepiphytes, Ulva lactuca and Elachista fucicola, were offered. I. granulosa rejected apices of F. vesiculosus and preferred E. fucicola, while G. locusta clearly preferred F. vesiculosus tissue, especially the meristematic apices. In a second experiment, F. vesiculosus tissue with and without E. fucicola was offered together. For I. granulosa, the consumption of F. vesiculosus was enhanced by the presence of the epiphyte, while for G. locusta there was no difference in consumed F. vesiculosus mass. G. locusta, however, showed behavioural rejection of E. fucicola, and thus, the epiphyte acted as Œprotective coating¹. We conclude that host (F. vesiculosus) tissue could be Œco-consumed¹ by mesograzers (I. granulosa) that were attracted by the presence of epiphytes and that these epiphytes therefore may have a 2-fold negative effect on the host (i.e. competion for light, nutrients etc. and attraction of consumers). ŒCo-consumption¹ and Œprotective coating¹ add 2 more facets to the very variable and case-dependent interrelationships of mesograzer-epiphyte-host systems; their relevance in nature, however, remains to be demonstrated.
Document Type: | Article |
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Keywords: | Herbivory; Feeding preference; Fucus; Crustacean grazers; Macroephiphytes; Multiple choice |
Research affiliation: | OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB3 Marine Ecology > FB3-EOE-N Experimental Ecology - Food Webs |
Refereed: | Yes |
Open Access Journal?: | No |
Publisher: | Inter Research |
Date Deposited: | 18 Feb 2008 17:24 |
Last Modified: | 08 May 2018 13:47 |
URI: | https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/805 |
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