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Colonisation of kelp imitations by epiphyte and holdfast fauna; a study of mobility patterns

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Abstract

The kelp Laminaria hyperborea provides a habitat for a diverse invertebrate community. Invertebrate abundance is particularly high in the kelp holdfasts and associated with epiphytes on the stipes. We investigated colonisation patterns of this fauna on artificial substrata (holdfast and epiphyte mimics) exposed for short time periods in the kelp forest in two seasons, summer and late autumn. Within 7 days, 99 taxa common on natural kelp substratum colonised the artificial substrata in large numbers, demonstrating high mobility and indicating that there may be a rapid exchange of individuals and species among algae. Gastropods and amphipods were the most abundant colonisers. In summer, a specific “epiphyte fauna” could be distinguished from a “holdfast fauna”, and species associated with epiphytes were significantly more abundant on the artificial substrata. Colonisation was more rapid in summer than in late autumn, which may be related to animal population density. The high dispersal rate can facilitate the interaction with other communities and with higher trophic levels in the kelp-forest food web.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1069, 0316, Oslo, Norway

    K. M. Norderhaug

  2. Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, P.O. Box 736, 0105, Oslo, Norway

    H. Christie & E. Rinde

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  1. K. M. Norderhaug
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  2. H. Christie
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  3. E. Rinde
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Correspondence to K. M. Norderhaug.

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Communicated by L. Hagemann, Helsingør

Published online: 13 August 2002

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Norderhaug, K.M., Christie, H. & Rinde, E. Colonisation of kelp imitations by epiphyte and holdfast fauna; a study of mobility patterns. Marine Biology 141, 965–973 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-002-0893-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-002-0893-7

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