Journal article
Responses of common SE Australian herbivores to three suspected invasive Caulerpa spp.
Marine Biology, Vol.146(5), pp.859-868
2005
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Source: InCites
Abstract
<p>We sought to determine whether common intertidal and shallow subtidal zone grazers would consume extracts or fronds of three invasive<em> Caulerpa</em> spp., all of which are now resident in southern New South Wales, Australia. We examined the responses of herbivorous fishes, echinoderms and molluscs to<em> C</em>.<em> filiformis</em>. A subset of these organisms was tested with extracts of<em> C</em>.<em> scalpelliformis</em> and<em> C</em>.<em> taxifolia</em>. Polar (seawater) extracts of<em> C</em>.<em> filiformis</em> deterred a single herbivore,<em> Aplysia sydneyensis</em>, but confirmed that the biological activity reported from some<em>Caulerpa</em> spp. is not restricted to the lipophilic fractions. The large turbinid<em> Turbo torquatus</em>was deterred by an ethanol extract of<em> C</em>.<em> filiformis</em>, while the small congener<em> T</em>.<em> undulatus</em>demonstrated a significant preference for palatable agar discs containing ethanol extracts of<em> C</em>.<em>filiformis</em>. However, when<em> T</em>.<em> undulatus</em> were offered a choice of fronds from five algal species in the laboratory, they readily consumed<em> Ulva</em> spp. and<em> Sargassum</em> sp., showing the lowest preference for<em> C</em>.<em> filiformis</em>. Solvent extracts of<em> C</em>.<em> scalpelliformis</em> and<em> C</em>.<em> taxifolia</em> did not significantly deter any grazers. However, the overall trend was for reduced consumption of discs containing solvent extracts of these seaweeds. Indeed, for the large urchin<em>Centrostephanus rodgersii</em> and in the fish trials these effects were very near significant (<em>P</em><0.06). We conclude that common herbivores associated with hard substrata are highly unlikely to intercede in the spread or control of these invasive algae.</p>
Details
- Title
- Responses of common SE Australian herbivores to three suspected invasive Caulerpa spp.
- Creators
- A R Davis - University of WollongongKirsten Benkendorff Dr - University of WollongongD W Ward - University of Wollongong
- Publication Details
- Marine Biology, Vol.146(5), pp.859-868
- Identifiers
- 4601; 991012821967602368
- Academic Unit
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering; Marine Ecology Research Centre; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Resource Type
- Journal article