The spatial niche of Dynamena pumila (L.) and Gonothyraea loveni (Allman) (Hydrozoa) within a Fucus serratus L. community
Seed, R.; O'Connor, R.J.; Boaden, P.J.S. (1983). The spatial niche of Dynamena pumila (L.) and Gonothyraea loveni (Allman) (Hydrozoa) within a Fucus serratus L. community. Cah. Biol. Mar. 24(4): 391-419
In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Seed, R., more
- O'Connor, R.J.
- Boaden, P.J.S., more
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| Abstract |
The distribution of Dynamena pumila (L.) and Gonothyraea loveni (Allman) on Fucus serratus L. was studied in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland. Dynamena was more sensitive in preferring fast currents and agitated waters and in avoiding silt laden plants. Areas preferred by Dynamena also had higher Fucus densities but both species increased their local abundance in dense Fucus beds. Bryozoans and hydroids came into frequent competition. Dynamena and Gonothyraea were themselves occasionally in competition but the outcome depended on site environment. Niche position also varied with intraspecific effects, changing in both species as their own population densities increased. The overall position of the two species in this community was determined in part by their different environmental tolerances and in part through their different sensitivity to competition from Bryozoa. |
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