Predation on coral settlers by the corallivorous fireworm Hermodice carunculata
A. T. Wolf
M. M. Nugues
Abstract
Coral predation by the fireworm Hermodice carunculata was investigated by presenting settlers (<3-week-old) and adults of two species of Caribbean corals, Montastraea faveolata and Agaricia humilis, to three different size classes of fireworms under laboratory conditions. For both coral species, survival rates of settlers were low (<2 % after 4 days), intermediate (42–54 %) and high (>90 %) in the presence of small-, mid- and large-sized fireworms, respectively. In contrast, fireworms hardly preyed on adult corals, irrespective of their sizes. Our results suggest an ontogenic shift in the diet of H. carunculata and in the susceptibility of corals to predation by fireworms. H. carunculata, in particular small-sized individuals, could be an important cause for early post-settlement mortality in corals. The corallivore could reinforce recruitment bottlenecks and reduce coral recovery after disturbances.
Wolf A.T. and Nugues M.M. (2013) Predation on coral settlers by the corallivorous fireworm Hermodice carunculata. Coral Reefs 32(1): 227-231. 10.1007/s00338-012-0969-x
@article{Wolf2013,
Title = {Predation on coral settlers by the corallivorous fireworm Hermodice carunculata},
Author = {Wolf, A. T. and Nugues, M. M.},
Editor = {},
Journal = {Coral Reefs},
Year = {2013},
Pages = {227-231},
Volume = {32},
Doi = {10.1007/s00338-012-0969-x},
Abstract = {Coral predation by the fireworm Hermodice carunculata was investigated by presenting settlers (<3-week-old) and adults of two species of Caribbean corals, Montastraea faveolata and Agaricia humilis, to three different size classes of fireworms under laboratory conditions. For both coral species, survival rates of settlers were low (<2 % after 4 days), intermediate (42–54 %) and high (>90 %) in the presence of small-, mid- and large-sized fireworms, respectively. In contrast, fireworms hardly preyed on adult corals, irrespective of their sizes. Our results suggest an ontogenic shift in the diet of H. carunculata and in the susceptibility of corals to predation by fireworms. H. carunculata, in particular small-sized individuals, could be an important cause for early post-settlement mortality in corals. The corallivore could reinforce recruitment bottlenecks and reduce coral recovery after disturbances.},
}
TY - JOUR
AU - Wolf, A. T.
AU - Nugues, M. M.
TI - Predation on coral settlers by the corallivorous fireworm Hermodice carunculata
T2 - Coral Reefs
PY - 2013
SP - 227-231
VL - 32
DO - 10.1007/s00338-012-0969-x
AB - Coral predation by the fireworm Hermodice carunculata was investigated by presenting settlers (<3-week-old) and adults of two species of Caribbean corals, Montastraea faveolata and Agaricia humilis, to three different size classes of fireworms under laboratory conditions. For both coral species, survival rates of settlers were low (<2 % after 4 days), intermediate (42–54 %) and high (>90 %) in the presence of small-, mid- and large-sized fireworms, respectively. In contrast, fireworms hardly preyed on adult corals, irrespective of their sizes. Our results suggest an ontogenic shift in the diet of H. carunculata and in the susceptibility of corals to predation by fireworms. H. carunculata, in particular small-sized individuals, could be an important cause for early post-settlement mortality in corals. The corallivore could reinforce recruitment bottlenecks and reduce coral recovery after disturbances.
ER -
