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Patterns of bioconstruction in the cheilostome bryozoan Schizoporella errata:the influence of hydrodynamics and associated biota

2000; Inter-Research; Volume: 192; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/meps192153

1616-1599

Silvia Cocito, Francesca Ferdeghini, Carla Morri, Carlo Nike Bianchi,

Marine Biology and Ecology Research

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 192:153-161 (2000) - doi:10.3354/meps192153 Patterns of bioconstruction in the cheilostome bryozoan Schizoporella errata: the influence of hydrodynamics and associated biota Silvia Cocito1,*, Francesca Ferdeghini1, Carla Morri2, C. Nike Bianchi1 1Marine Environment Research Centre, ENEA Santa Teresa, PO Box 316, 19100 La Spezia, Italy 2DipTeRis (Zoologia), Università di Genova, Via Balbi 5, 16126 Genova, Italy *E-mail: cocito@estosf.santateresa.enea.it ABSTRACT: In the region of La Spezia (Ligurian Sea, Italy), the bryozoan Schizoporella errata forms sizeable buildups, termed 'giant colonies' or 'compound colonies' by previous investigators. Buildups were encrusting (up to 40 cm wide) with flat or bumpy surfaces in an exposed site, and erect (more than 20 cm high) branching anastomosed structures in a semi-exposed and in a sheltered site. The buildup architecture was significantly different in the 3 sites, with higher vertical development and number of branches per dm2 in the sheltered site. The internal structure of the buildups was also different: densely packed, extensive laminated sheets developed in the sheltered site; loosely packed, concentric sheets alternating with small cavities filled with sediment and shells of associated organisms were found in the semi-exposed and exposed sites. Functional groups could be recognised among the biota associated with S. errata buildups. The constructional pattern was interpreted as resulting from both interactions with other organisms and hydrodynamic conditions. While in the exposed site S. errata showed no vertical growth, in the sheltered site soft-bodied erect organisms formed the frame around which S. errata deposited a multilayered structure, which eventually caused the death and disappearance of the immured organisms. Breakage of branch tips by episodic disturbance and repeated binding through a complex array of budding patterns by S. errata resulted in tall buildups which preserved no trace of the soft-bodied organisms. Because of the role they played, these may therefore be defined as 'ghost frame-builders'. KEY WORDS: Bryozoa · Bioconstruction · Growth forms · Hydrodynamics · Associated biota · Mediterranean Sea Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 192. Publication date: January 31, 2000 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 2000 Inter-Research.