Temporal variability in the effects of grazing by the territorial limpet Patella longicosta on the productivity of the crustose alga Ralfsia verrucosa

Title: Temporal variability in the effects of grazing by the territorial limpet Patella longicosta on the productivity of the crustose alga Ralfsia verrucosa
Creator: Kaehler, Sven, Froneman, P William
Date: 1999
Type: Article
Identifier: vital:6935
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011956
Description: This study reports the effects of grazing by the territorial limpet Patella longicosta on the productivity of the encrusting alga Ralfsia verrucosa. Grazing significantly increased algal growth during the first month of the study (August). Simulated grazing by brushing also enhanced productivity. However, the productivity of grazed and ungrazed algae did not differ significantly during the ensuing three months. As the growth of ungrazed plants remained the same throughout the study, the elevated productivity of grazed plants during August was attributed to increased limpet activity. The variation in grazer-induced algal growth was possibly associated with increased feeding when the limpets embark on energetically costly periods of reproduction.
Format: 2 pages, pdf
Language: English
Relation: Kaehler, S. and Froneman, P.W. (1999) Temporal variability in the effects of grazing by the territorial limpet Patella longicosta on the productivity of the crustose alga Ralfsia verrucosa. South African Journal of Science, 95 (3). pp. 121-122.

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Kaehler, Sven (Dr)

Froneman, Pierre William (Prof)

RU Department of Zoology and Entomology

SDG 14. Life Below Water

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