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Settlement, Refuges, and Adult Body Form in Colonial Marine Invertebrates: A Field Experiment.

L J Walters, D S Wethey

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|January 6, 2018

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Larval settlement in colonial animals depends on adult body form. Sheet-like forms settle in refuges from competition, while arborescent forms settle in protected crevices to avoid predation and dislodgement.

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Area of Science:

Marine Biology
Ecology
Animal Behavior

Background:

Colonial animals exhibit diverse adult body forms, including sheet-like and arborescent structures.
Larval settlement is a critical life stage influenced by environmental factors and adult morphology.
Competition and predation are key ecological pressures shaping settlement patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between adult body form (sheet vs. arborescent) and larval settlement site selection in colonial animals.
To determine if larval settlement patterns are adaptive, providing refuge from competition or predation.

Main Methods:

Observational study of larval settlement on natural and artificial substrata.
Comparison of settlement site preferences between sheet-forming (Membranipora membranacea) and arborescent (Bugula neritina, Distaplia occidentalis) species.
Analysis of settlement locations relative to topographical features like high spots and crevices.

Main Results:

Larvae of the sheet-forming species (M. membranacea) preferentially settled on elevated areas, likely as refuges from overgrowth competition.
Larvae of arborescent species (B. neritina, D. occidentalis) settled more frequently in sheltered locations, such as the bases of bumps.
Settlement in crevices offers protection against predators and physical disturbances during the vulnerable post-settlement period.

Conclusions:

Larval settlement strategies are closely linked to the adult body form and associated ecological challenges.
Sheet-forming species larvae seek sites that minimize competition, while arborescent species larvae prioritize protection from predation and disturbance.
These findings highlight the adaptive significance of larval settlement behavior in colonial invertebrates.