Faunistic control of Enteromorpha blooms: a field experiment
In: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. Elsevier: New York. ISSN 0022-0981; e-ISSN 1879-1697, more
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| Keywords |
Algal blooms
Aquatic organisms > Heterotrophic organisms > Predators
Behaviour > Feeding behaviour > Grazing
Sedimentary structures > Mud flats
Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Tidal flats
Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
Ulva Linnaeus, 1753 [WoRMS]; Pomatoschistus microps (Krøyer, 1838) [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- Warwick, R.M., more
- Davey, J.T.
- Gee, J.M.
- George, C.L.
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| Abstract |
Gobies, Pomatoschistus microps (Krøeyer), were introduced to a series of cages on an estuarine mud-flat during the period in which the cover of Enteromorpha sp. was declining. They fed selectively on the grazers which either ingested Enteromorpha directly or browsed on micro-organisms attached to it and, therefore, significantly affected the breakdown rate of the alga. It is suggested that the balance between grazers and their predators may be at least partially responsible for the irregular development of Enteromorpha on estuarine mud-flats from year to year. |
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