Benthic Substrate Research Articles

Mapping shallow nearshore benthic features in a Caribbean marine-protected area: assessing the efficacy of using different data types (hydroacoustic versus satellite images) and classification techniques

ABSTRACTVarious benthic mapping methods exist but financing and technical capacity limit the choice of technology available to developing states to aid with natural resource management. Therefore, we assessed the efficacy of using a single-beam echosounder (SBES), satellite images (GeoEye-1 and WorldView-2) and different image (pixel-based Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC), and an object-based image analysis (OBIA)) and hydroacoustic classification and interpolation techniques, to map nearshore benthic features at the Bluefields Bay marine protected area in western Jamaica (13.82 km2 in size). A map with three benthic classes (submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), bare substrate, and coral reef) produced from a radiometrically corrected, deglinted and water column-corrected WorldView-2 image had a marginally higher accuracy (3%) than that of a map classified from a similarly corrected GeoEye-1 image. However, only one of the two extra WorldView-2 image bands (coastal) was used because the yellow band was completely attenuated at depths ≥3.7 m. The coral reef class was completely misclassified by the MLC and had to be contextually edited. The contextually edited MLC map had a higher overall accuracy (OA) than the OBIA map (86.7% versus 80.4%) and maps that were not contextually edited. But, the OBIA map had a higher OA than a MLC map without edits. Maps produced from the images also had a higher accuracy than the SAV map created from the acoustic data (OAs >80% and kappa >0.67 versus 76.6% and kappa = 0.32). SAV classification was comparable among the classified SBES SAV data points and all the final maps. The total area classified as SAV was marginally larger for satellite maps; however, the total area classified as bare substrate using the images was twice as large. A substrate map with three classes (silt, sand, and coral/hard bottom) produced from the SBES data using a random forest classifier and a Markov chain interpolator had a higher accuracy than a substrate map produced using a fractal dimension classifier and an indicator krig (the default choice) (72.4% versus 53.5%). The coral reef class from the SBES, OBIA, and contextually edited maps had comparable accuracies, but covered a much smaller area in the SBES maps because data points were lost during the interpolation process. The use of images was limited by turbidity levels and cloud cover and it yielded lower benthic detail. Despite these limitations, satellite image classification was the most efficacious method. If greater benthic detail is required, the SBES is more suitable or more effort is required during image classification. Also, the SBES can be operated in areas with turbid waters and greater depths. However, it could not be used in very shallow areas. Also, processing and interpolation of data points can result in a loss of resolution and introduces spatial uncertainty.

Impact of Spawning Substrate Complexity on Egg Survival of Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus, L.) in the Baltic Sea

Shallow shore zones are generally considered to provide juvenile habitats for many invertebrate and fish species and additionally serve as spawning grounds for important components of oceanic food webs and fishery resources such as herring (Clupea spp.). Herring attach their demersal eggs to benthic substrates, rendering reproduction success vulnerable to environmental changes and local habitat alterations. However, little information is available on the effects of different substrates on the survival of demersal eggs. Hypothesizing that the structural complexity of spawning substrates generally affects herring egg survival and that the effect magnitude depends on the suitability of ambient environment, field experiments were conducted on a major spawning ground of C. harengus in the Southwestern Baltic Sea. Herring eggs were artificially spawned on substrates of different structural complexities and incubated in situ under differing temperature regimes, at the beginning and the end of the natural herring spawning season, to include the full suite of stressors occurring on littoral spawning beds. Results of this study indicate a positive relation between high structural complexity of spawning substrates and herring egg survival. Mean egg mortality was three times higher on substrates of lowest complexity than on highly complex substrates. These differences became even more prominent under unfavorable conditions that appeared with rising water temperatures later in the spawning season. Although the mechanisms are still unclear, we conclude that structural complexity, particularly formed by submerged aquatic vegetation, provides a crucial prerequisite for the successful reproduction of substrate spawning marine fishes such as herring in the Baltic Sea.

Sex-ratio bias in Laevistrombus canarium Linné, 1958 (Gastropoda: Strombidae) from Far North Queensland, Australia

In general, sex-ratios in herbivorous gastropods show a strong female bias, particularly in the family Strombidae of the Indo-Pacific. Previous studies of Indo-Pacific strombs point to an underlying female bias in most species. However, the full spatial extent and potential mechanisms driving this phenomenon are currently unknown. Therefore, we studied two populations of Laevistrombus canarium Linne, 1758 over a four year period to explore sex-ratio bias and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, the current study investigated methods to test for sex-ratio bias in strombs where samples are limited and sampling is problematic We sampled individuals from two reefs in Far North Queensland, Australia, with different benthic compositions, despite their close proximity (approximately 4 km apart). In agreement with previous studies, we also found a strong bias towards females. This bias remained consistent across both locations and changes in benthic substrate. Our findings are consistent with models suggesting inherent genetic factors regulate natural patterns of sex imbalance in these strombs. These findings also suggest that there are as yet unidentified stromb life-history characteristics associated with the origin and maintenance of this phenomenon.

Linkages between benthic assemblages and physical environmental factors: The role of geodiversity in Eastern Gulf of Finland ecosystems

We analyzed hydrology, geology and benthic species composition to determine benthic habitat distribution patterns in a geologically complex area of the Gulf of Finland, Northern Baltic Sea. The analysis included several datasets describing coastal influence and geodiversity at multiple spatial scales. Geodiversity in this context refers to variation and/or patchiness of benthic substrates and seabed features. Multivariate statistical methods including BEST and LINKTREE routines were used to identify correlative relationships between different ecological variables. Environmental variables (e.g. water depth, Secchi depth, salinity) were either measured by sampling and remote sensing methods or parameterized from geographic and oceanographic data. Benthic assemblages were assayed by both video recordings and zoobenthic sampling (benthic grabs). Statistical analyses identified correlations between benthic datasets and environmental variables, but correlation parameters were not consistent especially with respect to differing zoobenthic and video-based estimates of benthic diversity. The ratio of Secchi depth to water depth showed strong correlation with species distributions observed in video recordings (ρ = 0.56) whereas variables describing broad-scale geodiversity and archipelago gradient (the abundance of islands, ratio of land and sea area) correlated with zoobenthic sample data (generally ρ > 0.30). A model that included independent variables of Secchi depth and terrain roughness within a 20km radius explained the greatest proportion of spatial variation in zoobenthic sample data (ρ = 0.69). Secchi depth and roughness values were positively correlated with species richness. We designated nine benthic marine landscapes on the basis of these two variables. Linkage tree statistical analysis (LINKTREE) routine utilized zoobenthic sample data as these offered better regional coverage and therefore effectively tracked relationships with other environmental variables. The benthic marine landscapes found in topographically complex seabed areas possessed higher species diversity than flatter areas with fewer seabed features. Our results indicate that on broad spatial scales, geodiversity and archipelago gradient directly influence benthic assemblages by providing a range of different habitats. These factors also indirectly influence benthic assemblages by channeling water movement and thereby distributing hydrologic conditions. This study demonstrates that broad-scale geodiversity should be considered in regional and mesoscale habitat mapping, maritime spatial planning and conservation policies.

High-Resolution Melting of 18S rDNA sequences (18S-HRM) for discrimination of bivalve’s species at early juvenile stage: application to a spat survey

It is particularly difficult to identify bivalve species at early development stages (larvae and spat) by morphological examination. Targeting genetic marker commonly used for species identification, we developed a cheap and user friendly tool for bivalve identification through High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis. Based on the polymorphism of the nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA gene among 11 orders of bivalve, the 18S-HRM method allowed discriminating species of the Ostreida, Mytilida and Pectinida orders. In this study, this method proved to be a very sensitive tool able to authenticate one species that differed by only one mutation from another one. We applied the method by identifying bivalve species in spat collections from different benthic substrates moored at subtidal and intertidal areas in euhaline conditions. This field survey showed that the settlement of the invasive species Crassostrea gigas was limited vertically to intertidal substrates. In conclusion, the 18S-HRM analysis is a fast, closed-tube method with high resolution and cost effectiveness, and is thus a good alternative method to identify bivalve species. This HRM assay can by applied for species identification of bivalves in the context of ecological management as well as food traceability for bivalves with economical interests.

Shell Fouling and Behavior of the Caribbean Predatory GastropodCassis tuberosa

Abstract: The gastropod Cassis tuberosa (Linnaeus, 1758) usually lives in and on soft sediments and sea grass meadows. This carnivorous snail is primarily a semi-epifaunal and nocturnal hunter that, during daytime, rests burrowed in sediments. Around the Bahamian island of San Salvador, C. tuberosa has extended its behavior from nocturnal to metaturnal; feeding both night and day. This modification also involves further changes in behavior as an individual was observed resting epifaunally between rocks during the day even though this substrate was surrounded by soft bottoms. Epifaunal Cassis specimens are entirely encrusted primarily by coralline algae, but also by various green algae accompanied by vagile snails and crabs. The high degree of encrustation suggests that these snails do not remain burrowed for long periods of time. Cassis has thus extended its resting behavior from a semi-endofaunal to an epifaunal mode of life. The fouled shells also function as mobile benthic substrates for various organisms.

Factors driving spatial variation in egg survival of an ecologically and culturally important forage fish

AbstractLow trophic‐level forage fish are experiencing global declines, influencing coupled human–ocean systems worldwide. Along the northwest coast of North America, declining trajectories of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) have prompted interest in improving the understanding of its population and community dynamics to better guide future conservation and management strategies.To improve future population estimates and understanding of the ecological factors governing herring egg survival, the magnitude, spatial variation and mechanisms driving herring egg loss rates were quantified. This was achieved by way of repeated observational field surveys and a predator exclusion experiment.Observational surveys revealed that regional egg loss rates (Z) were substantial and ranged from 0.101 ± 0.019 to 0.134 ± 0.028, the equivalent of 88–94% egg loss over a 21 day incubation period, or 50–60% egg loss over 6.8 days, the average time lag between spawn deposition and annual egg surveys. Furthermore, spatial variation was high, with egg loss rates varying 5‐fold among study sites. Depth, time since spawn, and spawn area were primary spatial drivers of egg loss, but predator abundance and exposure were secondarily important.Experimental evidence showed that benthic predation and habitat type were strong drivers of egg loss, suggesting that a high proportion of eggs, particularly those spawned on benthic substrates, are consumed by predators.These results have important conservation implications for managers and ecologists seeking to estimate herring biomass and to understand the environmental influences on predator–prey interactions that affect herring dynamics.

Analysis of habitat characteristics of the scalloped spiny lobster Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758) in their home range along the southern coast of Sri Lanka

The present study was aimed to investigate the quality of home range habitat characteristics of the scalloped spiny lobster Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758) in southern coastal region of Sri Lanka. Four sites were selected from south-east (Patanagalle, Godawaya) and south-west (Weligama, Hikkaduwa) regions of the southern coast of Sri Lanka (SCSL). The bottom water quality data and benthic substrate types of their home range habitats were monitored and noted in a 25 x 25 m area covering 16 subsampling points with locality information. With the use of geographical information system (GIS) tools, the spatial distribution maps of environmental parameters were created and submerged bottom substrate types of the four sites were graphed. Salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen correlated well with depth. Hikkaduwa site was found rich in corals with less number of scalloped spiny lobsters. Sites of south-east region of the SCSL (Patanagalle, Godawaya) were found less polluted having rocks and sandy bottom with high occurrence of scalloped spiny lobsters. Results of the study showed that Patanagalle site (south-east of SCSL) could be suggested as the most suitable site for culturing scalloped spiny lobsters.

Factors influencing biodeposit production by the New Zealand freshwater mussel Echyridella menziesii

ABSTRACTLaboratory experiments on the New Zealand freshwater mussel Echyridella menziesii were used to investigate the short-term effects (7–8 days) of food type on rates of biodeposition and benthic substrate respiration. Post-feeding biodeposition rates ranged from 0.34 to 1.52 mg g−1 h−1 (mean = 0.50 mg g−1 h−1) and were unaffected by the addition of toxin-producing Microcystis. Addition of suspended sediment (30 mg L−1) visibly altered substrate composition, and increased total and inorganic biodeposit production rates by 24–33% compared to mussels fed commercial phytoplankton stock. Biodeposition rates of mussels in lake bed substrates were 38% higher than those in silica sand for identical feeding regimes, suggesting that a significant proportion of material produced in this experiment could have been derived from feeding on organic matter in the lake bed sediments. Respiration rates were higher in treatments with Microcystis but were unaffected by the presence of mussels. This laboratory study suggests that biodeposition by E. menziesii is resilient to short-term exposure to Microcystis, and highlights the ability of mussels to alter benthic substrate composition by incorporating suspended sediment into substrates.

How false is Nereis falsa (Annelida, Phyllodocida, Nereididae)?

There are many taxonomic problems in polychaete species names and solving confusing or inadequate taxonomic procedures is both time-demanding and extremely important. Our objective in this contribution was to analyse what is the current taxonomic situation for Nereis falsa de Quatrefages, 1866; it was based upon Nereis pulsatoria? Rathke, 1837 from the Black Sea, and it is currently regarded as having a very wide distribution. The species has been collected from different benthic substrates and even can be found on floating objects or marine turtles. Nereis falsa has been recorded from the Mediterranean Sea, the Eastern Atlantic along Africa, the Western Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Brazil), and the Indian Ocean. However, despite the fact N. falsa was proposed as a species from the Black Sea, it has not yet been found there. How can we explain that a species is able to attain a very wide distribution and yet be missing from its type locality? After a careful study of previous publications and with our understanding of the systematics of nereidid polychaetes, we clarify the current situation by examining several related species and pointed out some nomenclatural issues. Our analysis indicates there is more than one species included under the same name, and in this contribution we propose some means to promote discussion and actions, and suggest some basic research for solving this issue.

Crustose coralline algae and associated microbial biofilms deter seaweed settlement on coral reefs

Crustose coralline algae (CCA), a group of calcifying red algae found commonly in benthic marine ecosystems worldwide, perform essential ecological functions on coral reefs, including creating benthic substrate, stabilizing the reef structure and inducing coral settlement. An important feature of CCA is the ability to keep their surfaces free of epiphytic algae, thereby reducing algal overgrowth and allowing them access to light. However, the mechanisms by which CCA prevent settlement of opportunistic seaweeds (fleshy macroalgae) are not fully understood, nor is whether these mechanisms vary among CCA species. In our study based on the Great Barrier Reef, we demonstrate that three common CCA species (Titanoderma pustulatum, Porolithon onkodes and Neogoniolithon sp.) have a remarkable ability to deter settlement of seaweed spores. We provide experimental evidence that the CCA use allelopathy and microbial inhibition against the settlement of spores of the brown seaweed Padina boergesenii. Methanol extracts of allelopathic compounds from T. pustulatum, Po. onkodes and Neogoniolithon sp. significantly reduced the settlement of Pa. boergesenii spores by 4.3 times, 3.0 and 3.8 times, respectively. Further, we found that microbial biofilms, while having a lower inhibitory effect than allelopathic compounds, also reduced seaweed settlement of Pa. boergesenii. Our study demonstrates that allelopathy and microbial inhibition, in addition to epithallial tissue sloughing, are mechanisms employed by CCA to prevent the settlement of epiphytic algae. Understanding the mechanisms by which CCA avoid seaweed overgrowth contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of seaweed proliferations on reefs and to the ecological knowledge of this important group of reef-building organisms.

Effect of substrate size on sympatric sand darter benthic habitat preferences

ABSTRACTThe western sand darter, Ammocrypta clara, and the eastern sand darter, A. pellucida, are sand-dwelling fishes that have undergone range-wide population declines, presumably owing to habitat loss. Habitat use studies have been conducted for the eastern sand darter, but literature on the western sand darter remains sparse. To evaluate substrate selection and preference, western and eastern sand darters were collected from the Elk River, West Virginia, one of the few remaining rivers where both species occur sympatrically. In the laboratory, individuals were given the choice to bury into five equally available and randomly positioned substrates ranging from fine sand to granule gravel (0.12–4.0 mm). The western sand darter selected for coarse and medium sand, while the eastern sand darter was more of a generalist selecting for fine, medium, and coarse sand. Substrate selection was significantly different (p = 0.02) between species in the same environment, where the western sand darter preferred coarser substrate more often compared to the eastern sand darter. Habitat degradation is often a limiting factor for many species of rare freshwater fish, and results from this study suggest that western and eastern sand darters may respond differently to variations in benthic substrate composition.

Links between fish community structure and habitat complexity of a rocky reef in the Gulf of California threatened by development: Implications for mitigation measures

In reefs, fish distribution and community structure are strongly linked to habitat structure. The objective of this study was to develop a baseline of the attributes of a rocky reef fish community threatened by development and their possible relationship with habitat complexity in order to assess how predicted habitat modification would impact the fish community. In the study area, the construction of a tourist marina is planned as part of a residential area with a total size of 500 ha. The project includes the translocation of corals, infilling of reclamation areas by dredging, and floating docks, which is predicted to affect both benthic rugosity and the types of benthic cover. Using hierarchical clustering based on benthic substrate type and rugosity we defined three levels of habitat complexity (Low, Medium, High). The fish community at different levels of complexity was characterized in terms of species richness, abundance, diversity and dominance, and was classified into seven trophic groups. Transects with high habitat complexity featured the highest cover of dead coral with macroalgae (43.7% ± 2.3, mean ± SE) and live coral (21.0% ± 1.9). There were no significant differences in rugosity among the three levels of habitat complexity (ANOVA, F = 0.145, df = 2, p = 0.87). A total of 19,799 individuals belonging to 76 species were recorded over an area of 12,000 m2. The greatest mean density and species richness occurred at high habitat complexity, with 1229.7 (±202.7) individuals per 500 m2 and 64 species, respectively. Community structure was significantly different in richness and abundance between high and low levels of complexity (p < 0.05). It is expected that the benthic habitat will be modified mainly by dredging associated with the construction of reclamation areas and the translocation of benthic organisms (mostly corals), affecting the habitat variables associated with different levels of habitat complexity in our survey. Reducing habitat complexity as a result of development is predicted to lead to a loss of species richness and ecological functions. A better understanding of the influence of habitat complexity on reef organisms can help to predict the potential impacts of habitat degradation and develop appropriate mitigation measures. Based on the results, a number of measures are suggested to detect and mitigate the expected negative impacts of construction and operation of the marina.

Shallow water benthic imaging and substrate characterization using recreational-grade sidescan-sonar

In recent years, lightweight, inexpensive, vessel-mounted ‘recreational grade’ sonar systems have rapidly grown in popularity among aquatic scientists, for swath imaging of benthic substrates. To promote an ongoing ‘democratization’ of acoustical imaging of shallow water environments, methods to carry out geometric and radiometric correction and georectification of sonar echograms are presented, based on simplified models for sonar-target geometry and acoustic backscattering and attenuation in shallow water. Procedures are described for automated removal of the acoustic shadows, identification of bed-water interface for situations when the water is too turbid or turbulent for reliable depth echosounding, and for automated bed substrate classification based on singlebeam full-waveform analysis. These methods are encoded in an open-source and freely-available software package, which should further facilitate use of recreational-grade sidescan sonar, in a fully automated and objective manner. The sequential correction, mapping, and analysis steps are demonstrated using a data set from a shallow freshwater environment.

Trade-offs between data resolution, accuracy, and cost when choosing information to plan reserves for coral reef ecosystems

Conservation planners must reconcile trade-offs associated with using biodiversity data of differing qualities to make decisions. Coarse habitat classifications are commonly used as surrogates to design marine reserve networks when fine-scale biodiversity data are incomplete or unavailable. Although finely-classified habitat maps provide more detail, they may have more misclassification errors, a common problem when remotely-sensed imagery is used. Despite these issues, planners rarely consider the effects of errors when choosing data for spatially explicit conservation prioritizations. Here we evaluate trade-offs between accuracy and resolution of hierarchical coral reef habitat data (geomorphology and benthic substrate) derived from remote sensing, in spatial planning for Kubulau District, Fiji. For both, we use accuracy information describing the probability that a mapped habitat classification is correct to design marine reserve networks that achieve habitat conservation targets, and demonstrate inadequacies of using habitat maps without accuracy data. We show that using more detailed habitat information ensures better representation of biogenic habitats (i.e. coral and seagrass), but leads to larger and more costly reserves, because these data have more misclassification errors, and are also more expensive to obtain. Reduced impacts on fishers are possible using coarsely-classified data, which are also more cost-effective for planning reserves if we account for data collection costs, but using these data may under-represent reef habitats that are important for fisheries and biodiversity, due to the maps low thematic resolution. Finally, we show that explicitly accounting for accuracy information in decisions maximizes the chance of successful conservation outcomes by reducing the risk of missing conservation representation targets, particularly when using finely classified data.

Microbiome analysis shows enrichment for specific bacteria in separate anatomical regions of the deep-sea carnivorous sponge Chondrocladia grandis.

The Cladorhizidae is a unique family of carnivorous marine sponges characterised by either the absence or reduction of the aquiferous system and by the presence of specialised structures to trap and digest mesoplanktonic prey. Previous studies have postulated a key role of host-associated bacteria in enabling carnivory in this family of sponges. In this study, we employed high-throughput Illumina-based sequencing to identify the bacterial community associated with four individuals of the deep-sea sponge Chondrocladia grandis sampled in the Gulf of Maine. By characterising the V6 through V8 region of the 16S rRNA gene, we compared the bacterial community composition and diversity in three distinct anatomical regions with predicted involvement in prey capture (sphere), support (axis) and benthic substrate attachment (root). A high abundance of Tenacibaculum, a known siderophore producing bacterial genus, was present in all anatomical regions and specimens. The abundance of Colwellia and Roseobacter was greater in sphere and axis samples, and bacteria from the hydrocarbon-degrading Robiginitomaculum genus were most abundant in the root. This first description of the bacterial community associated with C. grandis provides novel insights into the contribution of bacteria to the carnivorous lifestyle while laying foundations for future cladorhizid symbiosis studies.

Trophic decline and distribution of barium in a freshwater ecosystem

Barium is generally considered a nonessential element with low toxicity, and with uptake from food sources balanced by excretion. Investigations into the dynamics of Ba in freshwater ecosystems have been limited. I show a 3-fold, trophic level-related decline in Ba in a freshwater ecosystem from a high of 60.9 µg/g for crayfish (Crustacea Orconectes virilis) to 0.438 µg/g for the largest individuals of a top predator (walleye Sander vitreus >3 kg). Barium concentrations were significantly higher in organisms (invertebrates and fish) associated with benthic substrates compared with those associated with pelagic environments. Thus, the concentration of Ba in muscle of 12 fish species was generally aligned along a pelagic to benthic food source gradient. These patterns may be related to relatively low concentration of Ba in water (77 µg/l) compared to the concentration of Ba in lake sediment (679 µg/g). Species level Ba assessments may provide a practical tool to assist with the identification of food web links and species specific routes of energy transfer in freshwater ecosystems.

Effects of invasive crayfish on fine sediment accumulation, gravel movement, and macroinvertebrate communities

AbstractCrayfish are one of the most prolific freshwater invaders, yet the role of crayfish as ecosystem engineers that structure benthic substrates in their nonnative habitat is rarely studied. We used an in situ experimental manipulation to document changes in sediment dynamics and macroinvertebrate density and richness caused by the presence or absence of invasive rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus). Rusty crayfish reduced fine-sediment accumulation and increased pit and mound structures in the river bed by moving gravels at the bed surface. We predicted that this omnivorous species would directly reduce macroinvertebrate density and richness, but we found that macroinvertebrate density was higher in treatments with rusty crayfish present and that macroinvertebrate richness did not differ between treatments with and without crayfish. Our findings suggest that rusty crayfish, which are spreading throughout the northeast USA, are probably important engineers of physical habitat structure in stream ecosy...

On the context-dependent scaling of consumer feeding rates.

The stability of consumer-resource systems can depend on the form of feeding interactions (i.e. functional responses). Size-based models predict interactions - and thus stability - based on consumer-resource size ratios. However, little is known about how interaction contexts (e.g. simple or complex habitats) might alter scaling relationships. Addressing this, we experimentally measured interactions between a large size range of aquatic predators (4-6400mg over 1347 feeding trials) and an invasive prey that transitions among habitats: from the water column (3D interactions) to simple and complex benthic substrates (2D interactions). Simple and complex substrates mediated successive reductions in capture rates - particularly around the unimodal optimum - and promoted prey population stability in model simulations. Many real consumer-resource systems transition between 2D and 3D interactions, and along complexity gradients. Thus, Context-Dependent Scaling (CDS) of feeding interactions could represent an unrecognised aspect of food webs, and quantifying the extent of CDS might enhance predictive ecology.

Effects of N and P availability on carbon allocation in the toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata

Blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata are usually associated with shallow and calm coastal waters, characterized by low nutrient concentrations. The algal cells typically cover the benthic substrates, such as the macroalgal and invertebrate communities and rocks, forming a mucilaginous film. Data reported on O. cf. ovata toxin production observed under both field and culture conditions show high variability in terms of toxic profile and cellular content; little is known about the environmental and physiological aspects which regulate the toxin dynamics. In this study, O. cf. ovata physiology was investigated using batch cultures supplied with nutrient concentrations similar to those found in the Adriatic Sea during the recurrent blooms and the observed cellular dynamics were compared with those found in a culture grown under optimal conditions, used as a reference. Data on the cellular C, N and P content during the growth highlighted a possible important role of the cellular nutritional status in regulating the toxin production that resulted to be promoted under specific intervals of the C:N and C:P ratios. The variable toxicity found for O. cf. ovata in various geographic areas could be related to the different in situ prevalent environmental conditions (e.g., nutrient concentrations) which affect the cellular elemental composition and carbon allocation. The obtained results strongly suggest that in the environment toxin production is steadily sustained by a low and constant nutrient supply, able to maintain appropriate cellular C:N (>12) or C:P (>170) ratios for a long period. These results explain to some extent the variability in toxicity and growth dynamics observed in blooms occurring in the different coastal areas.