The intertidal distribution of two algal symbionts hosted by Anthopleura xanthogrammica (Brandt 1835)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 10:58authored byBates, AE
This paper quantifies the spatial distribution of zooxanthellae (ZX) and zoochlorellae (ZC), two algal symbionts common to the temperate anemone, Anthopleura xanthogrammica, in relation to shore height. Anemones in tidepools and crevices had varying algal proportions: .0.90 ZC (green anemones), 0.10 to 0.90 ZX (mixed), and .0.90 ZX (brown). Brown anemones are primarily found in the high intertidal and the upper region of tidepools. Mixed anemones are most common at intermediate shore heights and green anemones are exclusive to the low shore and at increasing depth in tidepools. Microhabitat was also important to algal proportion, as anemones in crevices had greater proportions of ZC than anemones in tidepools at the same shore height. In a reciprocal transplant experiment, A. xanthogrammica were moved between high and low shallow tidepools. All anemones moved from a low to a high tidepool exhibited a shift from ZC to ZX populations, while the anemones transplanted from high to low tidepools maintained ZX dominance. This is the first documentation that field algal populations can shift from ZC to ZX in Anthopleura. The field survey and transplant study results support the hypothesis that the relative abundance of ZX and ZC in A. xanthogrammica is influenced by the environmental gradient associated with shore height and microhabitat.
History
Publication title
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Volume
249
Issue
2000
Pagination
249-262
ISSN
0022-0981
Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Publisher
Elsevier Science Bv
Place of publication
Po Box 211, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1000 Ae
Rights statement
The definitive version is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com