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Ecological Differences in the Distribution of two Tethya (Porifera, Demospongiae) Species Coexisting in a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon
Author(s) -
Corriero Giuseppe,
Balduzz Andrea,
Sarà Michele
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
marine ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.668
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1439-0485
pISSN - 0173-9565
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0485.1989.tb00075.x
Subject(s) - posidonia oceanica , ecology , habitat , biology , mediterranean sea , mediterranean climate , seagrass , rhizome
. In the Sicilian lagoon Stagnone di Marsala, Tethya aurantium and T. citrina show different ecological distributions, although some overlapping occurs. The first species reaches its highest density where linear currents are maximal, and in this habitat it is particularly frequent on Posidonia oceanica rhizomes. The second species is more abundant in still water locations and is equally common on Posidonia rhizomes and on calcareous concretions. Such distributions can be related to water movement, Posidonia shoot density, and associated factors such as sedimentation and food availability. These observations are consistent with an adaptive interpretation of the morphofunctional features distinguishing the two species.