On the Evolution of Interactions between Marine Mesoherbivores and Algae
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J. Arrontes
Abstract
It is suggested that the evolution of marine mesoherbivores is influenced by the effect that these animals have on the host algae, the extent of food limitation and the ultimate factors controlling diet and habitat selection. Two contrasting models are proposed to explain the evolution of mesoherbivores: coevolution and sequential evolution. From the analysis of the available information on the biology and ecology of mesoherbivores it is obvious that: (i) no generalization can be made on the impact of mesoherbivores on the host algae, (ii) food limitation in mesoherbivores may be a common event, operating through diffuse competition, (iii) mesoherbivores have the potentiality to locate and colonize any host alga present in the habitat and, (iv) host selection, and possibly diet, is subordinate to habitat selection. Considering these results altogether, it follows that we cannot support or reject either of the two proposed models. Some suggestions are made for future research that might fill in the gaps in our knowledge of the biology and ecology of mesoherbivores.
Copyright (c)1999 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
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Articles in the same Issue
- Comparison of the Phytoplankton Assemblages of the South-Eastern Barents Sea and South-Western Kara Sea: Phytogeographical Status of the Regions
- Intertidal Fungi in Mangalore Harbour, Southern India
- Epiphyte Accrual on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Leaves: Implications for Light Absorption
- The Benthic Marine Algae of Uruguay
- On the Evolution of Interactions between Marine Mesoherbivores and Algae
- Bioaccumulation of Hg, Cd, Pb and Zn in Four Marine Phanerogams and the Alga Caulerpa prolifera (Försskal) Lamouroux from the East Coast of Spain
- Differential Antibacterial Activity of Extracts from Selected Southern African Macroalgal Thalli
- Seasonal Variations in the Yield, Gelling Properties, and Chemical Composition of Agars from Gracilaria eucheumoides and Gelidiella acerosa (Rhodophyta) from the Philippines
- Coexistence of Agaroid and Carrageenan Structures in a Polysaccharide from the Red Seaweed Rhodomela larix (Turner) C. Ag.
- Life History of a Marine Dinoflagellate Pyrophacus steinii (Schiller) Wall et Dale
- Halogenated Secondary Metabolites of Laurencia similis (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)
