Long Distance Dispersal Potential of Two Seagrasses Thalassia hemprichii and Halophila ovalis.

ABSTRACT: The wide distribution of many seagrasses may be attributable to exploitation of currents. However, many species have seeds heavier than seawater, limiting surface floating, and thus, deep water becomes a potential barrier between suitable habitats. In this investigation, we studied the dispersal potential of various life history stages of two species of seagrasses, Thalassia hemprichii and Halophila ovalis, at Dongsha Atoll and Penghu Islands in Taiwan Strait, west Pacific. The adult plants of both species, often dislodged naturally from substrate by waves, could float, but only that of T. hemprichii could float for months and still remain alive and potentially able to colonize new territories. The seedlings of T. hemprichii could also float for about a month once failing to anchor to subs

SUBMITTER: Wu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4889049 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature