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Harpacticoid copepod colonization of coral fragments in a tropical reef lagoon (Zanzibar, Tanzania)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 October 2011

M. Callens ,
H. Gheerardyn ,
S.G.M. Ndaro ,
M. De Troch  and
A. Vanreusel
M. Callens*
Affiliation:
Marine Biology Section, Biology Department, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium Aquatic Biology, K.U. Leuven—KULAK, E. Sabbelaan 53, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
H. Gheerardyn
Affiliation:
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
S.G.M. Ndaro
Affiliation:
Department of Aquatic Environment and Conservation, University of Dar Es Salaam, PO Box 35064, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
M. De Troch
Affiliation:
Marine Biology Section, Biology Department, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
A. Vanreusel
Affiliation:
Marine Biology Section, Biology Department, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: M. Callens, Aquatic Biology, K.U. Leuven—KULAK, E. Sabbelaan 53, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium email: callens.martijn@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Colonization experiments were conducted in a tropical lagoon (Zanzibar Island, off the coast of Tanzania) to investigate the temporal dynamics and mode of colonization of the harpacticoid copepods community on dead coral fragments. There was fast colonization of the coral fragments attaining a substantial diversity after only two days. The ability to colonize dead coral fragments is thought to be related to the morphology and life style of different harpacticoid species. Phytal taxa (e.g. Tisbidae) were fast colonizers, reaching high abundances during the initial colonization phase. Sediment-associated and eurytopic taxa (e.g. Ameiridae, Miraciidae and Ectinosomatidae) showed lower colonization rates and became the dominant group during the later colonization phase. Most species are able to colonize the coral fragments through the water column. However, colonization along the substrate surface is also considered to be an important colonization mode, especially for sediment-associated taxa, which showed lower colonization rates when migration through the sediment was hindered.

Keywords

dead coral substratesharpacticoid copepodscommunity structurecolonization experimentstemporal dynamicsIndian Ocean
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 92 , Issue 7 , November 2012 , pp. 1535 - 1545
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2011

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