Lee, D. E. and Robinson, J. H. and Witman, J. D. and Copeland, S. E. and Harper, E. M. and Smith, F. and Lamare, M. (2011) Observations on recruitment, growth and ecology in a diverse living brachiopod community, Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand. Special Papers in Palaeontology, 84. pp. 177-191.
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Abstract
Many aspects of brachiopod recruitment, settlement and ecology remain unknown. This study analysed brachiopod settlement and recruitment patterns for a diverse range of brachiopod species in shallow-water mid-latitude communities at five sites in Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand. Recruitment plates (slate tiles) with various treatments (caged, fenced, open) to investigate the effects of predators and grazers were attached to near-vertical fiord walls for periods of 12, 22, and 32 months between 1993 and 1995. The thirty tiles studied were colonized by a wide range of epibionts, including about 4000 individuals belonging to five species of brachiopods: the rhynchonellide Notosaria nigricans and the terebratulides Liothyrella neozelanica, Calloria inconspicua, Terebratella sanguinea and Neoaemula vector. Our observations are consistent with annual and seasonal spawning in the species studied, taking place in late summer (February) for one species (Liothyrella), and early winter (May and June) for Notosaria, Terebratella and Calloria. There may be a second less intense spawning episode in spring. Brachiopod recruitment was relatively high, but the population structure was undercut by high mortality, with few brachiopods surviving for more than 2 years. Low replication of recruitment tiles under different conditions precluded the use of statistical treatments. However, the principal determinants of the density and species richness patterns of the brachiopods appear to relate to the length of time the tiles were deployed (for one, two or three spawning cycles), and the diversity and density of brachiopod species attached to the adjacent fiord walls. Water depth, substratum differences and predator exclusion factors appear less significant. Growth rates of up to 5 mm/year were observed for several species. Key words: Brachiopoda, recruitment, growth rates, Recent, Doubtful Sound, New Zealand, epifaunal colonization experiments.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 2010AREP; IA60; |
| Subjects: | 04 - Palaeobiology |
| Divisions: | 04 - Palaeobiology |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Special Papers in Palaeontology |
| Volume: | 84 |
| Page Range: | pp. 177-191 |
| Depositing User: | Sarah Humbert |
| Date Deposited: | 28 May 2010 16:09 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Jul 2013 09:57 |
| URI: | http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/1404 |
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