Effects of toughness, calcite level, and chemistry of crustose coralline algae (Rhodophyta, Corallinales) on grazing by the parrotfish Chlorurus sordidus
Pitlik TJ and Paul VJ. 1997. Effects of toughness, calcite level, and chemistry of crustose coralline algae (Rhodophyta, Corallinales) on grazing by the parrotfish Chlorurus sordidus. Pages 701-706. In Author unknown: Proceedings of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium. Panama City, Panama. 1996. Honolulu, HI
"The crustose coralline algae Lithophyllum moluccense, Mesophyllum mesomorphum, and Neogoniolithon frutescens were tested in feeding assays to examine the relative importance of toughness, algal chemistry, and level of calcite as defenses against feeding b¥ the excavating parrotfish Chlorurus sordidus. C. sordidus did not consume either whole Lithophyllum moluccense or Neogoniolithon frutescens in laboratory preference studies. In addition, natural assemblages of reef fishes at Western Shoals, Guam, did not consume any L. moluccense and N. frutescens samples over a 19-day test period. In the laboratory, Mesophyllum mesomorphum was entirely consumed in 19 out of 20 replicates during a 72-h period. M. mesomorphum was not tested at Western Shoals because it was too fragile. Penetrometer measurements of toughness for N. frutescens were almost twice those of L. moluccense and nearly six times those of M. mesomorphum. Aqueous and organic extracts of the three species of coralline algae did not deter feeding b¥ c. sordidus. Calcite added to artificial foods stimulated feeding b¥ c. sordidus. Fish consumed significantly more artificial diet with added calcite relative to controls for all levels of calcite tested. Artificial food that contained freshly ground algae and artificial food that contained a combination of crude organic extract and calcite were also consumed significantly more than the controls. Toughness in Lithophyllum moluccense and Neogoniolithon frutescens and cryptic growth in Mesophyllum mesomorphum are indicated as the most important defenses of these algae against C. sordidus."
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Pitlik, Todd; Paul, Valerie
- Units
- WAPA
- Keywords
- Apra Harbor, crustose coralline algae, Fish Assemblages, Gun Beach, Herbivory, Marine, Nimitz Beach, Togcha Beach, Western Shoals