Abstract
The natural toxicity of cnidarians, bryozoans and tunicates in two caves was assessed using the Microtox® technique in spring and autumn. One cave was located in the Cabrera Archipelago (Balearic Islands) and the other in the Medes Islands (Catalan littoral). The organisms analysed were good representatives of the coverage of each Phylum in the communities; however, these Phyla are less abundant than sponges which are the dominant group in these caves. Seventy-one percent of the species of cnidarians and bryozoans analysed were toxic in one of the caves, communities or seasons, which indicates the relevance of bioactive species in these groups. The tunicate Lissoclinum perforatum was the most toxic species. Although all three Phyla had some highly toxic species, a common pattern that related the caves, communities and seasons was not found. Seasonal variation of toxicity in cnidarians and bryozoans was higher in the Cabrera than in the Medes cave. Moreover, variation in toxicity either between communities or between seasons was a common trait for most cnidarians and bryozoans, whereas tunicates remained toxic throughout communities and seasons.
Highlights
Corals and sponges are the most studied groups of benthic invertebrates in marine chemical ecology. ‡Corresponding authorThis is mainly because they are abundant in all seas (Jackson, 1977; Uriz et al, 1992)
In the Cabrera cave, three communities were sampled from the entrance to the inner part: a sciaphilic seaweed community (SSC) at the entrance, an external semi-dark cave community (ESC), and an internal semi-dark community (ISC)
We analysed 4 cnidarian species from SSC, which accounted for 83% and 86% of the cnidarian coverage in June and November respectively; 4 species from ESC, which accounted for 100% of coverage in the two seasons; and 4 species from
Summary
Corals and sponges are the most studied groups of benthic invertebrates in marine chemical ecology. This is mainly because they are abundant in all seas (Jackson, 1977; Uriz et al, 1992). Active secondary metabolites are found in virtually all benthic invertebrates, including bryozoans Bryozoans: Walls et al, 1993; Shellenberger and Ross, 1998), and spatial competition (e.g. cnidarians: Koh and Sweatman, 2000). In this paper we studied the patterns of spatial and temporal variation of natural toxicity in benthic invertebrates of several Phyla. We analysed the natural toxicity of the most abundant species of cnidarians, bryozoans and tunicates in distinct communities of two Mediterranean caves. To assess seasonal variation of natural toxicity, analyses were done in June (spring) and November (autumn)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
