ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
Atlantic
;
competition
;
Fucus
;
replacement series experiment
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Fucus spiralis forms a conspicuous belt in the upper intertidal on rocky shores of the NW Atlantic. The objective of this study was to determine whether competition among congeners plays a role in restricting the distribution of F. spiralis to the upper shore. A replacement series design was used to test the growth performance of F. spiralis and F. vesiculosus in monocultures and in mixtures set up in the mid shore level on an exposed rocky coast. For F. spiralis and F. vesiculosus, all individual and relative crowding coefficients were 〈 1 and 〉 1, respectively. Hence, F. vesiculosus succeeded relative to F. spiralis in all mixtures tested. This finding was confirmed by graphical analysis. Ratio diagrams showed that the outcome of long term interaction among the species is extinction of F. spiralis. The results lead to the conclusion that interaction among congeners is a major determinant of the restricted distribution of F. spiralis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00040235
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