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Interactions and Zonation in Marine Ecology: Physical Factors vs Biological Interactions

Explore the role of physical and chemical factors versus biological interactions in zonation patterns in marine ecosystems. Learn about competition for space, predator-prey interactions, symbiotic relationships, larval ecology, and the effects of disturbance on succession.

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Interactions and Zonation in Marine Ecology: Physical Factors vs Biological Interactions

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  1. Marine Ecology May 9 & 12, 2008 Between the tides: Interactions 1

  2. Zonation: Role of physical/chemical factors vs. biological interactions • Joe Connell, 1972: Hypothesis • Physical factors primarily responsible for upper limits • Biological interactions primarily responsible for lower limits • Support for hypothesis?

  3. Effects of biotic factors on zonation/distribution in intertidal • Competition for space • Predator-prey interactions • Role of grazers • Symbiotic relationships and species distribution • Larval ecology • Disturbance (abiotic)  succession (biotic)

  4. Competition for space • Example: Vertical distribution of the intertidal barnacles ChthamalusBalanus/Semibalanus

  5. Barnacle zonation (after Connell, 1961)

  6. Barnacle zonation in New England

  7. Competition for space • Example: Algal distribution • Species with small body forms initially settle and grow (opportunistic) • Slower-growing, larger forms outcompete if no disturbance occurs

  8. Competition for space • Example: Lottia gigantea (owl limpet) territoriality

  9. Competition for space • Example: Mussel bed succession

  10. Example: Nucella sp. Predatory snail Excretes enzymes with an accessory boring organ to dissolve test of barnacles Has operculum: enables it to retreat into shell at low tide Predator-prey interactions

  11. Example: Pisaster ochraceus and the mussel Mytilus californianus Bob Paine’s Caging experiments Follow-up (14-17 yrs) Comparisons to Chile and New Zealand studies Predator-prey interactions

  12. Bob Paine’s experiments:Effects of Pisaster removal Castro and Huber, Fig. 11.22

  13. Bob Paine’s experiments:Effects of Pisaster removal • What happened when he returned to his study site 14-17 years after cages were removed? • How do Bob Paine’s results compare to similar studies in New Zealand and Chili?

  14. Fig. 6.18: Pisaster ochraceus as a Keystone species

  15. Fig. 6.19: Natural experiments on New England coast (Menge and Lubchenco)

  16. Predator-prey interactions • Distribution within a zone • Oystercatchers affect limpet distribution Black oystercatcher (Pacific) Variable oystercatcher (New Zealand)

  17. Role of grazers • Limitation of algae by grazers • Overview • Case study: Katharina tunicata

  18. Role of grazers • Maintenance of diversity by grazers • Example: Effects of snails on algal diversity in a tidepool.

  19. Complex interactions

  20. Role of grazers • Grazing deterrents • Morphological • Chemical defenses • Crustose vs. erect forms • Size refuges • Limitation of grazers by algae

  21. Symbiotic relationships • Commensal: One species may create suitable habitat for another • Example: Mussel beds

  22. Marine BiologyMay 9, 2007 Between the tides: Interactions 2 Larval ecology and disturbance

  23. Symbiotic relationships • Mutualistic relationships • Example: Anthopleura spp.

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