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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Epiphytic hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) contribute to a higher abundance of caprellid amphipods (Crustacea, Peracarida) on macroalgae

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Author(s):
Cunha, Amanda Ferreira [1] ; Maruyama, Pietro Kiyoshi [2] ; Jacobucci, Giuliano Buza [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, Rua Matao, Travessa 14, 101, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas UNICAMP, Inst Biol, Dept Biol Vegetal, Cx Postal 6109, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Uberlandia UFU, Inst Biol, Rua Ceara, Campus Umuarama, BR-38402400 Uberlandia, MG - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Hydrobiologia; v. 808, n. 1, p. 251-264, FEB 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

Habitat complexity is an important factor structuring macroinvertebrate communities on macrophytes, and epiphytic hydroids may offer additional habitats for the epifauna. Caprellids are known to benefit from the association with hydroids, but it is unclear if epiphytic hydroids affect their abundance. In this study, we investigated if caprellid abundance is related to epiphytic hydroid abundance on Sargassum cymosum, and whether this is related to caprellids' clinging behavior. We found that hydroid abundance had a positive effect on caprellid abundance, irrespective of species, sex, developmental and reproductive stages of caprellids, with the exception of Caprella scaura that present maternal care behavior. Experiments also showed that caprellids are more abundant on fronds of Sargassum with hydroids. Moreover, juvenile caprellids prefer to cling directly to hydroids and also prefer portions of the alga with hydroids attached. Our results indicate that epiphytic hydroids add structural complexity to macroalgae, favoring the occurrence of caprellids. However, this effect may be conditioned by the reproductive behavior of caprellid species, since hydroids are particularly important for juveniles by offering suitable structures for their small pereopods to grasp. This, in turn, may indirectly benefit adult caprellids, contributing to their choice of habitats that favor the performance of their juveniles. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 17/00641-7 - Morphological variability within the evolutionary context of colonial hydrozoans (Cnidaria, Proboscoida)
Grantee:Amanda Ferreira e Cunha
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 15/21457-4 - Linking macroecological patterns in ecological networks to functional traits of species: plant-hummingbird networks across the Americas
Grantee:Pietro Kiyoshi Maruyama Mendonça
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral