Epiphytic bryozoan community of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile leaves in two different meadows at disturbed and control locations

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KOÇAK F., Aydin-Onen S.

MEDITERRANEAN MARINE SCIENCE, vol.15, no.2, pp.390-397, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 15 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.12681/mms.777
  • Journal Name: MEDITERRANEAN MARINE SCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.390-397
  • Keywords: Epiphyte, Bryozoan, Fish farming, Posidonia oceanica, Aegean Sea, Spatial variability, WATER COLUMN, SPATIAL VARIABILITY, NITROGEN UPTAKE, FISH FARM, SEAGRASS, ASSEMBLAGES, LIGHT, GULF, BAY, ORGANISMS
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The impact of fish farming activities on Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Aegean Sea have been detected using bryozoan epiphytes as indicators of disturbance. Samples were collected by SCUBA diving in September 2004 in order to compare assemblages between disturbed (I1:0-5 m; I2:5-10 m and I3:10-15 m) and control meadows (C1:0-5 m; C2:5-10 m and C3:10-15 m) located at different depths. Regarding the mean percentage coverage of bryozoans, significant differences were found between stations, leaf sides, depths and their interactions (p<0.05). Bryozoan species densely colonized the back side of adult leaves. Bantariella verticillata, Alcyonidium sp., Aetea truncata, Chorizopora brongniartii, Fenestrulina joannae were frequently observed on P. oceanica leaves. B. verticillata showed statistically significant side and station differences, while other species showed only significant side differences. Moreover, the mean coverage of Aetea truncata revealed no station or side variations. B. verticillata could be evaluated as an appropriate key species studying any environmental changes. In the impacted meadow, higher mean coverage values of the species were particularly determined on front side of the leaves. These results suggest that locality, leaf side and leaf part can influence the coverage value of epiphytic bryozoan species.