Factors controlling macroalgae assemblages in a Southwest Atlantic coastal lagoon modified by an invading reef forming polychaete
- Bazterrica, Maria Cielo
- Alvarez, María Fernanda
- Bruschetti, Carlos Martin
- Hidalgo, Fernando Jose
- Fanjul, Maria Eugenia
- Iribarne, Oscar Osvaldo
- Botto, Florencia
DOIAbstract
In the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (37° 40′S, 57° 23°W, Argentina), the invasive reef building polychaete 23 Ficopomatus enigmaticus, change the composition and abundance of macroalgae by providing habitat to 24 some species and by excluding others. The magnitude of these effects may be regulated by consumers and 25 nutrients availability. Here we evaluate the relative importance of consumers and nutrients in controlling 26 macroalgae development on the reefs, and on the sediment in areas without reefs. Experiments showed 27 that: (1) large consumers (birds, fishes and crabs) had no effect on red (Polysiphonia subtilissima) and 28 green (Cladophora sp.) macroalgae on reefs; (2) large consumers had positive effect on green macroalgae 2...
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