Ecological succession of the sponge cryptofauna in Hawaiian reefs add new insights to detritus production by pioneering species.

ABSTRACT: Successional theory proposes that fast growing and well dispersed opportunistic species are the first to occupy available space. However, these pioneering species have relatively short life cycles and are eventually outcompeted by species that tend to be longer-lived and have lower dispersal capabilities. Using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) as standardized habitats, we examine the assembly and stages of ecological succession among sponge species with distinctive life history traits and physiologies found on cryptic coral reef habitats of Kāne'ohe Bay, Hawai'i. Sponge recruitment was monitored bimonthly over 2 years on ARMS deployed within a natural coral reef habitat resembling the surrounding climax community and on ARMS placed in unestablished mesocosms receiving unfiltere

SUBMITTER: Vicente J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9445044 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature