Ophiothrix Fragilis Research Articles

The correlation between echinoderms diversity and physicochemical parameters in marine pollution: A case study of the Persian Gulf coastline

This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the correlation between echinoderms diversity and physicochemical parameters in the Persian Gulf coastline in Bushehr province in 4 seasons from March to December 2017. The physicochemical parameters including water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, pH and turbidity were measured at each sampling location. The results showed a significant correlation between echinoderms diversity and physicochemical parameters. The correlation coefficient of the Astropecten polyacanthus species with the parameters of temperature, DO, EC, salinity and turbidity was reported as -0.41, 0.64, -0.25, -0.44 and 0.60 respectively. This coefficient for the Ophiothrix fragilis species was reported as -0.68, 0.70, -0.21, -0.36 and -0.55 respectively. The results demonstrated that the most sensitive species were Astropecten polyacanthus and Ophiothrix fragilis respectively. The different species of echinoderms can be used as biological indicators of pollution in evaluating the physicochemical quality of marine environments.

Diversity, structure and spatial distribution of megabenthic communities in Cap de Creus continental shelf and submarine canyon (NW Mediterranean)

The continental shelf and submarine canyon off Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean) were declared a Site of Community Importance (SCI) within the Natura 2000 Network in 2014. Implementing an effective management plan to preserve its biological diversity and monitor its evolution through time requires a detailed characterization of its benthic ecosystem. Based on 60 underwater video transects performed between 2007 and 2013 (before the declaration of the SCI), we thoroughly describe the composition and structure of the main megabenthic communities dwelling from the shelf down to 400 m depth inside the submarine canyon. We then mapped the spatial distribution of the benthic communities using the Random Forest algorithm, which incorporated geomorphological and oceanographic layers as predictors, as well as the intensity of the bottom-trawling fishing fleet. Although the study area has historically been exposed to commercial fishing practices, it still holds a rich benthic ecosystem with over 165 different invertebrate (morpho)species of the megafauna identified in the video footage, which form up to 9 distinct megabenthic communities. The continental shelf is home to coral gardens of the sea fan Eunicella cavolini, sea pen and soft coral assemblages, dense beds of the crinoid Leptometra phalangium, diverse sponge grounds and massive aggregations of the brittle star Ophiothrix fragilis. The submarine canyon off Cap de Creus is characterized by a cold-water coral community dominated by the scleractinian coral Madrepora oculata, found in association with several invertebrate species including oysters, brachiopods and a variety of sponge species, as well as by a community dominated by cerianthids and sea urchins, mostly in sedimentary areas. The benthic communities identified in the area were then compared with habitats/biocenoses described in reference habitat classification systems that consider circalittoral and bathyal environments of the Mediterranean. The complex environmental setting characteristic of the marine area off Cap de Creus likely produces the optimal conditions for communities dominated by suspension- and filter-feeding species to develop. The uniqueness of this ecosystem and the anthropogenic pressures that it faces should prompt the development of effective management actions to ensure the long-term conservation of the benthic fauna representative of this marine area.

A Multidisciplinary Approach for A Better Knowledge of the Benthic Habitat and Community Distribution in the Central and Western English Channel

About 80% of the seabed of the English Channel (EC) is covered by coarse sediment, from coarse sand to pebbles. Quantitative data on the benthic macrofauna in these types of sediment remains are rare due to the difficulty of using grab corers in such hard substrates. The deepest central part of the EC (45–101 m depth) was prospected during two VIDEOCHARM surveys in June 2010 and June 2011 to increase knowledge of such sublittoral coarse sediment benthic habitats. Sampling focussed on a longitudinal transect in the deepest part of the EC (13 boxes), extending from the western approach to the Greenwich meridian. Both indirect (side scan sonar, Remote Operated Vehicule) and direct (grab sampling with benthos determination, and grain-size analyses) approaches were used and combined, permitting description of the benthic habitats and communities using seven methods. Five benthic EUNIS habitats (European Nature Information System) were reported: MC3215, MD3211, MC4, MC3212 and MC4215, of which two extended main habitats (MC3211 and M23212) corresponded to an eastern/western gradient from sandy gravel to sandy gravel and pebbles sediment. Three other spatially discrete habitats were associated with poor coarse sand and gravel habitats as well as sandy gravel and pebbles with the presence of the brittle star Ophiothrix fragilis. Taxonomic richness of both extended habitats was on the same order of magnitude as the coarse sand habitat reported elsewhere in the EC, whilst the abundances were among the lowest in deeper areas with low nutrient input and low primary production. The epifauna appeared relatively homogenous in this type of sediment at the scale of the sampling area and was not determined to assign a EUNIS habitat/class. ROV footage illustrated the presence of large epifauna and provided valuable information to ground truth in other sampling methods such as side scan sonar mosaic. Grab photos showing surface sediment was relevant to determine the sediment type, whilst granulometric analyses gave additional information on fine particles content (typically very low).

Vertical distribution of brittle star larvae in two contrasting coastal embayments: implications for larval transport

The ability of marine invertebrate larvae to control their vertical position shapes their dispersal pattern. In species characterized by large variations in population density, like many echinoderm species, larval dispersal may contribute to outbreak and die-off phenomena. A proliferation of the ophiuroid Ophiocomina nigra was observed for several years in western Brittany (France), inducing drastic changes on the benthic communities. We here studied the larval vertical distribution in this species and two co-occurring ophiuroid species, Ophiothrix fragilis and Amphiura filiformis, in two contrasting hydrodynamic environments: stratified in the bay of Douarnenez and well-mixed in the bay of Brest. Larvae were collected at 3 depths during 25 h within each bay. In the bay of Brest, all larvae were evenly distributed in the water column due to the intense vertical mixing. Conversely, in the bay of Douarnenez, a diel vertical migration was observed for O. nigra, with a night ascent of young larvae, and ontogenetic differences. These different patterns in the two bays mediate the effects of tidal currents on larval fluxes. O. fragilis larvae were mainly distributed above the thermocline which may favour larval retention within the bay, while A. filiformis larvae, mostly concentrated near the bottom, were preferentially exported. This study highlighted the complex interactions between coastal hydrodynamics and specific larval traits, e.g. larval morphology, in the control of larval vertical distribution and larval dispersal.

Resource Niches of Co-occurring Invertebrate Species at an Offshore Wind Turbine Indicate a Substantial Degree of Trophic Plasticity

Offshore wind farms in the North Sea are proliferating, causing alterations in local ecosystems by adding artificial hard substrates into naturally soft-bottom areas. These substrates are densely colonized by fouling organisms, which may compete for the available resources. While the distribution of some species is restricted to specific parts of the turbine, others occur across depth zones and may therefore face different competitive environments. Here we investigate the trophic niches of seven invertebrate species: three sessile (Diadumene cincta, Metridium senile and Mytilus edulis), one hemi-sessile (Jassa herdmani) and three mobile species (Ophiothrix fragilis, Necora puber and Pisidia longicornis) that occur in multiple depth zones. We hypothesized that these species would be trophic generalists, exhibiting trophic plasticity by selecting different resources in different depth zones, to cope with the different competitive environments in which they occur. We analyzed δ13C and δ15N of these species and their potential resources across depth zones. Our results show that most of these invertebrates are indeed trophic generalists which display substantial trophic plasticity, selecting different resources in different zones. Degree of trophic plasticity was not related to mobility of the species. There are two possible explanations for these dietary changes with depth: either consumers switch diet to avoid competition with other (dominant) species, or they benefit from the consumption of a non-limiting resource. Only Diadumene cincta was a trophic specialist that consumed suspended particulate organic matter independent of its zone of occurrence. Altogether, trophic plasticity appears an important mechanism for the co-existence of invertebrate species along the depth gradient of an offshore wind turbine.

The Relationship of Megazoobenthos Association with Seagrass Ecosystem Conditions in Ujung Genteng Waters, Sukabumi

Seagrass beds in Ujung Genteng waters are one of the shallow marine ecosystems that have relatively high biodiversity. Seagrass ecosystem as one of the coastal ecosystems in these waters has a diversity of marine life that is associated with it. The purpose of this study was to establish the association pattern and the correlation of mega zoobenthos to seagrass ecosystem conditions. The method used was a survey method by conducting a survey direct observation of the stations that have been determined. Three seagrass species were identified, namely: Thallasia hemprichii, Cymodoceae rotundata and Enhalus acoroides. The highest density of seagrass was found in station 2 with the type of seagrass Thallasia hemprichii as much as 207 ind/m2. Fifteen mega zoobenthos species were identified representing 3 phyla. Species Mega zoobenthos which is most commonly found in Ujung Genteng waters is Ophiothrix fragilis, Ophiocoma erinaceus, and Diadema setosum. The mega zoobenthos Diversity Index at the observation station is included in the medium category that is 2.33-2.66 and the evenness index is 0.63-0.84. Correlation of seagrass density with mega zoobenthos obtained by 0.92 shows that there is a very strong relationship between seagrass density with mega zoobenthos. The result shows that there are 4 patterns of close association and 2 patterns of very close association. Ophiocoma erinaceus of the ophiuroidea class has a pattern of very close positive associations with seagrass Cymodoceae rotundata and Dendrodoris sp of the order nudibranchia has a pattern of very close negative associations with seagrass Cymodoceae rotundata.

Macrobenthic diversity and sediment-water exchanges of oxygen and ammonium: Example of two subtidal communities of the eastern English Channel

In organic-rich shallow habitats, benthic macrofauna is known to play a major role in the geochemical functioning of surficial sediments through its metabolism, as well as its bioirrigation and/or bioturbation activity. In this paper, the effects of benthic macrofauna on metabolic fluxes at the sediment-water interface were studied at four dates, from winter to late summer, on two major macrobenthic communities of the eastern English Channel (macrotidal system): the fine sand Abra alba community (2 stations) and the sandy gravel Ophiothrix fragilis community (1 station). Oxygen and ammonium fluxes showed temporal changes that could be attributed to the variation of sea water temperature. Once the effect of temperature removed (using Q10 = 2.5), the average fauna mediated fluxes (FFauna) represented respectively 77% and 76% of average total fluxes. Considering the whole dataset, species number and biomass showed a significant correlation with fauna mediated fluxes of O2 and NH4+, while the relationships with abundance were not significant. The species composition of the community might influence ecosystem functioning, but in the present study, functional groups have a very poor relationship with FFauna (O2) and FFauna (NH4+). Despite the presence of engineer species, establishing general and simple rules to link macrofaunal parameters to functional attributes remains very difficult, suggesting that communities rather followed the idiosyncrasy and rivet hypothesis.

Contrasted phylogeographic patterns on mitochondrial DNA of shallow and deep brittle stars across the Atlantic-Mediterranean area.

Previous studies on Ophiothrix in European waters demonstrated the existence of two distinct species, Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophiothrix sp. II. Using phylogenetic and species delimitation techniques based on two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase I and 16S rRNA) we prove the existence of a new congeneric species (Ophiothrix sp. III), occurring in the deep Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the Alboran Sea. We compared phylogeographic patterns of these three Ophiothrix species to test whether closely related species are differentially affected by past demographic events and current oceanographic barriers. We used 432 sequences (137 of O. fragilis, 215 of Ophiothrix sp. II, and 80 of Ophiothrix sp. III) of the 16S rRNA from 23 Atlantic-Mediterranean locations for the analyses. We observed different geographic and bathymetric distributions, and contrasted phylogeography among species. Ophiothrix fragilis appeared genetically isolated between the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins, attributed to past vicariance during Pleistocene glaciations and a secondary contact associated to demographic expansion. This contrasts with the panmixia observed in Ophiothrix sp. II across the Atlantic-Mediterranean area. Results were not conclusive for Ophiothrix sp. III due to the lack of a more complete sampling within the Mediterranean Sea.

Modelling climate change effects on benthos: Distributional shifts in the North Sea from 2001 to 2099

In the marine realm, climate change can affect a variety of physico-chemical properties with wide-ranging biological effects, but the knowledge of how climate change affects benthic distributions is limited and mainly restricted to coastal environments. To project the response of benthic species of a shelf sea (North Sea) to the expected climate change, the distributions of 75 marine benthic species were modelled and the spatial changes in distribution were projected for 2099 based on modelled bottom temperature and salinity changes using the IPCC scenario A1B. Mean bottom temperature was projected to increase between 0.15 and 5.4 °C, while mean bottom salinity was projected to moderately increase by 1.7. The spatial changes in species distribution were modelled with Maxent and the direction and extent of these changes were assessed. The results showed a latitudinal northward shift for 64% of the species (maximum 109 km; brittle star Ophiothrix fragilis) and a southward shift for 36% (maximum 101 km; hermit crab Pagurus prideaux and the associated cloak anemone Adamsia carciniopados; 105 km). The relatively low rates of distributional shifts compared to fish or plankton species were probably influenced by the regional topography. The environmental gradients in the central North Sea along the 50 m depth contour might act as a ‘barrier’, possibly resulting in a compression of distribution range and hampering further shifts to the north. For 49 species this resulted in a habitat loss up to 100%, while only 11 species could benefit from the warming in terms of habitat gain. Particularly the benthic communities of the southern North Sea, where the strongest temperature increase was projected, would be strongly affected by the distributional changes, since key species showed northward shifts and high rates of habitat loss, with potential ramifications for the functioning of the ecosystem.

Silting up and development of anoxic conditions enhanced by high abundance of the geoengineer species Ophiothrix fragilis

In the English Channel, the brittle-star Ophiothrix fragilis is a common epifaunal species typically found on pebbles in habitats with strong tidal currents. This species forms dense aggregations on the seafloor, supporting populations that can reach up to 7500indm−2 in the eastern part of the Baie de Seine, offshore from Antifer harbour. Here, O. fragilis occurs in an area with unexpected amounts of fine-grained sediment. Some of these mud deposits are made up of unusually compact black muds, an indication of the development of anoxic conditions in surficial sediments. To highlight a potential link between silting up and dense O. fragilis populations, and identify the interactions between environmental conditions and the population dynamics of this species, we analyse the data from three surveys corresponding to exceptional situations: (1) just after a Seine flood; (2) just after a storm and (3) after a period of ten months without any flood or storm. Four parameters are taken into account: number of brittle stars per 0.25m2, Fine Fraction percentage, Total Organic Carbon and Total Sulphur. The main environmental forcings appear to be Seine river inflow, regional circulation dependent on tidal currents and the occurrence of storms. O. fragilis is able to geoengineer its environment in various ways and at different rates. Silting up is enhanced by increasing abundance of O. fragilis and takes place at a very fast rate. As a result, floods and storms reflecting instantaneous events give rise to a steady-state situation established between the abundance of this species and the fine fraction percentage. Anoxic conditions are dependent on the degradation of organic matter and require more time to be established. After many months in the absence of any disturbing events, anoxic conditions are developed in non-compacted muddy sediments (stability situation) and represent the normal surficial situation when the sediment becomes compacted (compact black muds). The development of anoxic conditions is dependent on the abundance of the O. fragilis population and occurs at a very slow rate.

Trophic niche of two co-occurring ophiuroid species in impacted coastal systems, derived from fatty acid and stable isotope analyses

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 525:127-141 (2015) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11169 Trophic niche of two co-occurring ophiuroid species in impacted coastal systems, derived from fatty acid and stable isotope analyses Aline Blanchet-Aurigny1,*, Stanislas F. Dubois1, Claudie Quéré2, Monique Guillou3, Fabrice Pernet2 1IFREMER, Laboratoire d’Ecologie Benthique, Département Océanographie et Dynamique des Ecosystèmes, Centre de Bretagne, BP70, 29280 Plouzané, France 2IFREMER, Laboratoire de Physiologie Fonctionnelle des Organismes Marins, LEMAR UMR CNRS IRD 6539, Centre de Bretagne, BP70, 29280 Plouzané, France 3Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, LEMAR UMR CNRS IRD 6539, place Nicolas Copernic, 29280 Plouzané, France *Corresponding author: ablanche@ifremer.fr ABSTRACT: The trophic niches of 2 common co-occurring ophiuroids, Ophiocomina nigra and Ophiothrix fragilis (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea), in 2 contrasting coastal systems of Brittany (France) were investigated. We used a combination of fatty acid biomarkers derived from neutral lipids and stable isotopic compositions to explore the contributions of oceanic versus continental inputs to the ophiuroids’ diet. We investigated 2 different systems with an inshore versus offshore comparison. We sampled potential food sources and surveyed organisms every 2 mo for 1 yr. Spatio-temporal variations in stable isotopes and fatty acid profiles of the ophiuroids were generally low compared to interspecific differences. Fatty acid markers showed that both ophiuroids relied on diatom inputs. However, a more δ15N-enriched isotopic composition as well as a more balanced plant- versus animal-derived fatty acid composition in O. nigra suggest that a broader range of food sources are being used by this species irrespective of location or sampling time. The positive correlation between the 18:1n-9/18:1n-7 fatty acid ratio and δ15N values indicates a higher trophic position for O. nigra (suggesting an omnivorous feeding mode), whereas O. fragilis appears to be more herbivorous. Moreover, the low polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio associated with elevated bacterial fatty acid markers indicates that O. nigra preferentially consumes detritus, while O. fragilis relies more on fresh phytoplankton-derived material. Both stable isotope and fatty acid analyses suggest that terrestrial inputs do not contribute significantly to the diet of these ophiuroids. However, phytodetritus derived from decomposing green macroalgae contributed to the diet of O. nigra in the Bay of Douarnenez. KEY WORDS: Echinoderm · Feeding ecology · Ophiocomina nigra · Ophiothrix fragilis · Trophic markers · Green algae Full text in pdf format Supplementary material PreviousNextCite this article as: Blanchet-Aurigny A, Dubois SF, Quéré C, Guillou M, Pernet F (2015) Trophic niche of two co-occurring ophiuroid species in impacted coastal systems, derived from fatty acid and stable isotope analyses. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 525:127-141. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11169 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 525. Online publication date: April 09, 2015 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2015 Inter-Research.

Interactions between aggregations and environmental factors explain spatio-temporal patterns of the brittle-star Ophiothrix fragilis in the eastern Bay of Seine

There is a paucity of studies showing long-term changes in the population dynamics of dominant benthic epifaunal species, especially echinoderms, in relation to biological and environmental factors. In the English Channel, the brittle-star Ophiothrix fragilis is a common epifaunal species, mainly found in strong tidal currents characterised by benthic habitats with pebbles. However, in the Bay of Seine, O. fragilis lives on gravel and coarse sandy sediments; more locally, it occurs where there are unexpected amounts of fine particles for such high hydrodynamic areas. This species forms dense aggregations, supporting large populations up to 7450 ind m−2. This paper analyses the long-term spatio-temporal changes of O. fragilis aggregations over the last 25 years in the eastern part of the Bay of Seine through observations obtained from several scientific programmes from 1986 to 2010. This area is characterised as a tidal environment affected by the Seine estuary and is subject to potential sediment supply from the dumping site of the Le Havre harbour dredging operations. During all surveys, there was a similar pattern: persistent patches with high abundances of O. fragilis and sites without O. fragilis, showing that there was a high heterogeneity of the spatial population pattern. Interactions between environmental conditions and ophiurid aggregations (e.g., storm waves, Seine floods and patches) are suggested to explain these patterns.

Density fluctuations of the ophiuroids Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophiocomina nigra in the Bay of Douarnenez, Brittany, France

Density fluctuations of the ophiuroids Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophiocomina nigra in the Bay of Douarnenez, Brittany, France

<p><strong>Tooth morphology and food processing in Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard, in O.F. Müller, 1789) and Ophiura albida Forbes, 1839 (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)</strong></p>

Based on the main feeding modes of two common European brittlestars, Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophiura albida, the pre­sent study relates the species’ tooth morphology to their function in processing food items of different structural quality. Clusters of grinding dental papillae in the suspension feeding O. fragilis seem most appropriate for loosening compound food items, i.e., food boli, or potentially for grazing. Large triangular teeth are considered to be used as crushing and cut­ting instruments, most likely for processing loosened or broken up food masses into smaller digestible portions. In the mostly predating and scavenging O. albida, sharp and pointy or broad scale-like oral papillae may serve in gripping and fixing live benthic prey organisms or carrion, while the larger spine-like teeth may be applied as carnassial instruments thrusting into the flesh of a prey organism and tearing off pieces. Designating the two species either as grinders and cutters processing compound and hard structured food or as grippers and tearers handling softer textures, still awaits confirmation through feeding experiments and observational documentation.

Cryptic speciation and genetic structure of widely distributed brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) in Europe

Pérez‐Portela, R., Almada, V. & Turon, X. (2012). Cryptic speciation and genetic structure of widely distributed brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) in Europe. —Zoologica Scripta, 00, 000–000.The development of molecular techniques has led to the detection of numerous cases of cryptic speciation within widely distributed marine invertebrate species and important taxonomic revisions in all the major marine taxa. In this study, we analysed a controversial marine species complex in the genus Ophiothrix, a widespread taxon in European waters traditionally assigned to two nominal species, Ophiothrix fragilis and O. quinquemaculata. These species are important components of the rocky shores and deep marine benthos along the North Atlantic and Mediterranean littoral. Their status (including variants of both species) has remained contentious due to overlapping variability in morphological characters. In this study, we analysed the genetic and morphological differences of Ophiothrix lineages along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. We also assessed population genetic structure in the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins by sequencing two mitochondrial genes, the 16S rRNA gene and COI gene, of 221 specimens from 13 locations. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated the existence of two genetically distinct lineages, attributable to two different species although unrelated to previous taxonomic distinctions. Morphological differences could also be detected between these lineages. Samples from the Northeast Atlantic and one from the deep Mediterranean grouped within Lineage I, whereas Lineage II pooled together the southern Atlantic and rocky shallow Mediterranean samples. In the northern region of the Iberian Peninsula and at a deep locality in the Mediterranean, both lineages overlap. Speciation processes likely happened during the Mio–Pliocene transition (about 4.8–7.5 million years ago), when marine‐level oscillations led to the blockage of major marine corridors in Europe and promoted genetic isolation by vicariance. Secondary contact between lineages following sea‐level increases and recolonization during the refilling of the Mediterranean after the Miocene salinity crisis could explain the present‐day distribution of genetic variability. No barriers to gene flow along the Atlanto‐Mediterranean area were detected for Lineage II, and the lack of genetic structure could be caused by a mixture of several factors, such as wide dispersal potential, recent demographic expansion and large population size.

Multi-decadal changes in two co-occurring ophiuroid populations

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 460:79-90 (2012) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09784 Multi-decadal changes in two co-occurring ophiuroid populations A. Blanchet-Aurigny1,*, S. F. Dubois1, C. Hily2, S. Rochette3, E. Le Goaster1,2, M. Guillou2 1IFREMER, Laboratoire d’Ecologie Benthique, Département Océanographie et Dynamique des Ecosystèmes, Centre de Bretagne, BP70, 29280 Plouzané, France 2Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, LEMAR UMR CNRS IRD 6539, Place Nicolas Copernic, 29280 Plouzané, France 3IFREMER, Laboratoire Applications Géomatiques, Département Océanographie et Dynamique des Ecosystèmes, Centre de Bretagne, BP70, 29280 Plouzané, France *Email: ablanche@ifremer.fr ABSTRACT: Mixed beds of Ophiocomina nigra and Ophiothrix fragilis (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) are usually predominated by O. fragilis and are reported to be stable over time. The Bay of Brest (Brittany, France) is a highly productive ecosystem where both species co-occur in the main central part. Using a geostatistical approach, we tested for changes in O. nigra and O. fragilis density and total biomass patterns between 1987 and 2011. Our results highlighted an increase in O. nigra population size and the induction of a spatial shift of the co-occurring O. fragilis. O. nigra increased ~5 times in density and covered almost all the study area, while its density-dependent biomass increased ~3 times (22 t km−2, ash-free dry mass) between 1987 and 2011. Overall, the O. fragilis population decreased in density by ~30%, but its total biomass did not change over time. The current distribution pattern revealed a clear spatial exclusion of O. fragilis from the central part of the study area toward the southern part, overlapping beds of dead slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata, which were formerly considered to be the dominant suspension-feeder species in the bay. The success of O. nigra colonization is linked to its biological and functional traits, as well as deep changes in food supply over the studied period. Ecological consequences of such a large change in the benthic compartment of the bay are explored in the light of associated changes in environmental patterns. KEY WORDS: Echinoderm · Ophiocomina nigra · Ophiothrix fragilis · Food supply · Kriging method · Suspension-feeder Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Blanchet-Aurigny A, Dubois SF, Hily C, Rochette S, Le Goaster E, Guillou M (2012) Multi-decadal changes in two co-occurring ophiuroid populations. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 460:79-90. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps09784 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 460. Online publication date: July 24, 2012 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2012 Inter-Research.

Tissue-diet discrimination factors of isotopic ratios (∆δ13C and ∆δ15N) in two brittle star species: Effect of reproductive state, diet and tissue composition

Tissue-diet discrimination factors (TDDFs) for carbon (∆δ13C) and nitrogen (∆δ15N) were estimated for two brittle star species (Ophiocomina nigra and Ophiothrix fragilis) in tissues of two body compartments (disk and arms) according to different diets (fish muscle, mussel and macroalgae). Variations in TDDFs are studied in the light of physiological changes, as two phases were revealed over the course of the experiment, i.e. a gonadal rest and a gonadal maturation. Overall, the average ∆δ13C and ∆δ15N values ranged from −4.1±0.2 to 1.5±0.2‰ and from −1.8±0.2 to 4.0±0.3‰, respectively. Variability in TDDFs revealed little differences between species but appeared to be mainly driven by the diet and the physiological state of the organisms to a lesser extent. ∆δ13C in gonadal resting organisms were systematically ca. 0.8‰ lower than in gonadal maturing species. TDDF values for organisms fell within the range of expected values, except for ∆δ13C with macroalgae diet and ∆δ15N with fish muscle diet. As revealed by %N and CN ratios, high dietary-protein seemed to play a key role in explaining ∆δ15N values, while ∆δ13C seemed to be affected by differential assimilation efficiency in dietary components. We also suggested a possible effect of isotopic signature of the diet on TDDFs showing that the more enriched the diet in δ15N and δ13C, the lower the TDDF.

Spatial distribution and abundance of the megabenthic fauna community in Gabes gulf (Tunisia, eastern Mediterranean Sea)

The aim of this paper is to bring to light the knowledge of marine diversity of invertebrates in Gabes gulf. The spatial distribution of the megabenthic fauna community in Gabes gulf (Tunisia, Eastern Mediterranean Sea), together with the bottom type and vegetation cover, were studied. The abundance of the megabenthic fauna was represented by eight groups: Echinodermata (38%), Crustacea (21%), Tunicata (19%), Mollusca (13%), Porifera (4%), Cnidaria (3%), Bryozoa, and Annelida (2%). It was spatially more concentrated in the coast area of the gulf than in the offshore waters. This area, especially, in Southern Kerkennah, North-est of Gabes and North-east of Djerba appeared to be in a good ecological condition hosting a variety of species like the paguridsPaguristes eremita and Pagurus cuanensis, the brachyura Medorippe lanata, Inachus doresttensis, the Gastropoda Hexaplex trunculus, Bolinus brandaris, Aporrhais pespelecani, andErosaria turdus, the Bivalvia Fulvia fragilis, the Echinoidea Psammechinus microtuberculatus, Holothuria polii,Ophiothrix fragilis and Antedon mediterranea, and the AscidiaceaAplidium cf. conicum, Didemnum spp, and Microcosmus exasperatus.The species’ compositions of the megabentic fauna community showed clearly that the spatial analysis represented the differences between the community of these two regions (inshore waters and offshore waters). These differences were closely related to peculiar characters of the fauna and biotopes (depth, bottom type and vegetation cover community). The results of the present study should be considered as a necessary starting point for a further analysis of priceless benthic fauna contribution to the marine environment and its organisms.

Spatial and temporal variation of echinoderm assemblages from soft bottoms of the Çanakkale Strait (Turkish Strait System) with a taxonomic key of the genus Amphiura (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

This study deals with the structure of echinoderm assemblages and their relationships with the biotic and abiotic conditions in the Çanakkale Strait in 2006 and 2007. A total of 25 echinoderm species were found, 4 species of which [Amphiura securigera (Düben & Koren, 1846); Amphiura lacazei Guille, 1976; Amphiura cherbonnieri Guille, 1972; and Thyone fusus (O.F. Müller, 1776)] were new records for Turkish fauna; 1 species [Ophiopsila annulosa (M. Sars, 1859)] was new for the Turkish Strait System; and 22 species were first reports for the Çanakkale Strait. Echinocyamus pusillus (O.F. Müller, 1776), Amphipholis squamata (Delle Chiaje, 1829), and Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard, 1789) were the most important species, representing 71% of the total abundance. Ophiuroids were found to be the dominant group, but asteroids also played a significant role in the echinoderm community structure. No seasonal differences were found, while finer sediments and the percentage of organic carbon (TOC) seemed to encourage echinoderm behavior. Hydrodynamism seems to be the factor regulating benthic assemblages' structure and distribution in the Çanakkale Strait. An identification key to the Mediterranean species of the genus Amphiura is provided.

Sampling epifauna, a necessity for a better assessment of benthic ecosystem functioning: An example of the epibenthic aggregated species Ophiothrix fragilis from the Bay of Seine

Sampling the sea bottom surface remains difficult because of the surface hydraulic shock due to water flowing through the gear (i.e., the bow wave effect) and the loss of epifauna organisms due to the gear’s closing mechanism. Slow-moving mobile epifauna, such as the ophiuroid Ophiothrix fragilis, form high-density patches in the English Channel, not only on pebbles like in the Dover Strait or offshore Brittany but also on gravel in the Bay of Seine (>5000indm−2). Such populations form high biomasses and control the water transfer from the water column to the sediment. Estimating their real density and biomass is essential for the assessment of benthic ecosystem functioning using trophic web modelling. In this paper, we present and discuss the patch patterns and sampling efficiency of the different methods for collecting in the dense beds of O. fragilis in the Bay of Seine. The large Hamon grab (0.25m−2) highly under-estimated the ophiuroid density, while the Smith McIntyre appeared adequate among the tested sampling grabs. Nowadays, diving sampling, underwater photography and videos with remote operated vehicle appear to be the recommended alternatives to estimate the real density of such dense slow-moving mobile epifauna.