INVESTIGADORES
LUPPI Tomas Atilio
artículos
Título:
Grazing effect of the invasive reef-forming polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel) on phytoplankton biomass in a SW Atlantic coastal lagoon.
Autor/es:
BRUSCHETTI MARTIN; LUPPI TOMAS; FANJUL EUGENIA; ROSENTHAL ALAN; IRIBARNE OSCAR
Revista:
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
Referencias:
Año: 2007 p. 212 - 219
ISSN:
0022-0981
Resumen:
Abstract
In this work we evaluate the potential grazing impact of the invasive reef-forming polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus in a SW Atlantic
coastal lagoon (Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon; 37° 40' S, 57° 23' W; Argentina). This gregarious species feeds on suspended detritus and
phytoplankton. Given the large area dominated by reefs, suspension feeding by this species might reduce the lagoon phytoplankton concentration
and even hinder local eutrophication. To evaluate this hypothesis in situ replicated mesocosm experiments were performed in spring 2005 and,
summer and winter 2006. Mesocosms enclosing reefs and without reefs were installed and grazing intensity was measured as the difference in
chlorophyll a concentration and turbidity between the reef-treatment and the treatment without reefs. Reefs of F. enigmaticus decreased the mean
chlorophyll a concentration, more during summer (56% decrease) than spring (25% decrease) and winter (19% decrease). Reefs also decreased
water turbidity during summer (54% decrease) and spring (23% decrease). While previous studies indicate that the physical structure of these reefs
alters water flow increasing water turbidity, our evidences show that their suspension-feeding activity can counteract this effect. Water turbidity
was positively correlated with chlorophyll a concentration, which suggests that phytoplankton grazing by F. enigmaticus decreased light
attenuation through the water column, with a potential for enhancement of benthic primary productivity. Therefore, our results suggest that grazing
by this polychaete affects overall estuarine primary production as well as the relative importance of planktonic and benthic carbon sources to
higher trophic levels.Ficopomatus enigmaticus in a SW Atlantic
coastal lagoon (Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon; 37° 40' S, 57° 23' W; Argentina). This gregarious species feeds on suspended detritus and
phytoplankton. Given the large area dominated by reefs, suspension feeding by this species might reduce the lagoon phytoplankton concentration
and even hinder local eutrophication. To evaluate this hypothesis in situ replicated mesocosm experiments were performed in spring 2005 and,
summer and winter 2006. Mesocosms enclosing reefs and without reefs were installed and grazing intensity was measured as the difference in
chlorophyll a concentration and turbidity between the reef-treatment and the treatment without reefs. Reefs of F. enigmaticus decreased the mean
chlorophyll a concentration, more during summer (56% decrease) than spring (25% decrease) and winter (19% decrease). Reefs also decreased
water turbidity during summer (54% decrease) and spring (23% decrease). While previous studies indicate that the physical structure of these reefs
alters water flow increasing water turbidity, our evidences show that their suspension-feeding activity can counteract this effect. Water turbidity
was positively correlated with chlorophyll a concentration, which suggests that phytoplankton grazing by F. enigmaticus decreased light
attenuation through the water column, with a potential for enhancement of benthic primary productivity. Therefore, our results suggest that grazing
by this polychaete affects overall estuarine primary production as well as the relative importance of planktonic and benthic carbon sources to
higher trophic levels.in situ replicated mesocosm experiments were performed in spring 2005 and,
summer and winter 2006. Mesocosms enclosing reefs and without reefs were installed and grazing intensity was measured as the difference in
chlorophyll a concentration and turbidity between the reef-treatment and the treatment without reefs. Reefs of F. enigmaticus decreased the mean
chlorophyll a concentration, more during summer (56% decrease) than spring (25% decrease) and winter (19% decrease). Reefs also decreased
water turbidity during summer (54% decrease) and spring (23% decrease). While previous studies indicate that the physical structure of these reefs
alters water flow increasing water turbidity, our evidences show that their suspension-feeding activity can counteract this effect. Water turbidity
was positively correlated with chlorophyll a concentration, which suggests that phytoplankton grazing by F. enigmaticus decreased light
attenuation through the water column, with a potential for enhancement of benthic primary productivity. Therefore, our results suggest that grazing
by this polychaete affects overall estuarine primary production as well as the relative importance of planktonic and benthic carbon sources to
higher trophic levels.a concentration and turbidity between the reef-treatment and the treatment without reefs. Reefs of F. enigmaticus decreased the mean
chlorophyll a concentration, more during summer (56% decrease) than spring (25% decrease) and winter (19% decrease). Reefs also decreased
water turbidity during summer (54% decrease) and spring (23% decrease). While previous studies indicate that the physical structure of these reefs
alters water flow increasing water turbidity, our evidences show that their suspension-feeding activity can counteract this effect. Water turbidity
was positively correlated with chlorophyll a concentration, which suggests that phytoplankton grazing by F. enigmaticus decreased light
attenuation through the water column, with a potential for enhancement of benthic primary productivity. Therefore, our results suggest that grazing
by this polychaete affects overall estuarine primary production as well as the relative importance of planktonic and benthic carbon sources to
higher trophic levels.a concentration, more during summer (56% decrease) than spring (25% decrease) and winter (19% decrease). Reefs also decreased
water turbidity during summer (54% decrease) and spring (23% decrease). While previous studies indicate that the physical structure of these reefs
alters water flow increasing water turbidity, our evidences show that their suspension-feeding activity can counteract this effect. Water turbidity
was positively correlated with chlorophyll a concentration, which suggests that phytoplankton grazing by F. enigmaticus decreased light
attenuation through the water column, with a potential for enhancement of benthic primary productivity. Therefore, our results suggest that grazing
by this polychaete affects overall estuarine primary production as well as the relative importance of planktonic and benthic carbon sources to
higher trophic levels.a concentration, which suggests that phytoplankton grazing by F. enigmaticus decreased light
attenuation through the water column, with a potential for enhancement of benthic primary productivity. Therefore, our results suggest that grazing
by this polychaete affects overall estuarine primary production as well as the relative importance of planktonic and benthic carbon sources to
higher trophic levels.