Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
The role of inorganic nutrients and herbivory in controlling microbioerosion of carbonate substratum
Author(s)
Carreiro-Silva M., McClanahan T.R., Kiene W.E.
Published
2005
Publisher
Coral Reefs
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-004-0445-3
Abstract
The effect of herbivore abundance and nutrients on microborer communities and their rates of bioerosion of Strombus gigas shells was studied using herbivore-exclusion cages and inorganic fertilizers at Glovers Reef, Belize. Microborers colonizing shells in each treatment were identified and their colonization rates were calculated from scanning electron microscopy of the boring casts. In all treatments the dominant microborer was the green alga Phaeophila sp. Cyanobacteria were most abundant within fertilized and fungi in unfertilized treatments. The highest microbioerosion rates and most distinctive microborer community were found on the treatment with both reduced herbivores and fertilization. All fertilized treatments had significantly higher bioerosion rates than unfertilized treatments. Treatments with macrograzer access had microbioerosion rates less than half the fertilized cages. Bioerosion rates in unfertilized treatments were lowest and not different with and without macrograzers. Consequently, increased nutrient concentrations on reefs have the potential to increase rates of microbioerosion and macrograzers can modify the composition and density of the microborer community. © Springer-Verlag 2005.
Keywords
bioerosion; carbonate; herbivory; microbial community; nutrient; Belize; Central America; Glovers Reef; Western Hemisphere; World; Chlorophyta; Cyanobacteria; Cyanobacterium (genus); Fungi; Phaeophila; Strombus gigas
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB11017