Grazing by Diadema antillarum (Philippi) and its effects on the benthic algal community
Carpenter RC. 1981. Grazing by Diadema antillarum (Philippi) and its effects on the benthic algal community. Journal of Marine Research. 39(4):749-765
Field observations in St. Croix, USVI (including 8 sites in the south lagoon at BIRNM) and Discovery Bay, Jamaica reveal that Diadema has a strong feeding preference for algal turf. Seasonal reduction of this preferred food item was accompanied by utilization of an alternative food source (live coral) which supports optimum foraging theory predictions. Cage experiments demonstrate maximum algal species richness at intermediate Diadema densities. Algal community primary production per projected surface area is also greatest at intermediate urchin densities. There is a highly significant inverse relationship between urchin density and individual urchin size. There is a significant inverse relationship between urchin density and algal abundance in both natural field sites and in field experiments.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Carpenter, Robert
- Units
- BUIS
- Keywords
- Algae, Animal Studies, Coral, Diadema antillarum, Diet, Ecology, Long-spined urchin, Primary Productivity