6533b851fe1ef96bd12a9ab7
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Hiding behaviour ofOxynoe olivacea(Mollusca: Opisthobranchia: Sacoglossa) in the invasive seaweedCaulerpa taxifolia
Renato ChemelloPaola GianguzzaDavide AgnettaKathe R. JensenChiara Bonavirisubject
Settore BIO/07 - EcologiabiologySacoglossaEcologyCaulerpa taxifoliaOpisthobranchiaIntroduced speciesMarine invertebratesbiology.organism_classificationOxynoe olivaceaAnimal Science and ZoologySpecies richnessOpisthobranchia habitat selection Mediterranean sacoglossan Caulerpa taxifolia cryptic habitsMolluscadescription
The occurrence of the invasive seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia in the Straits of Messina (Italy) provides an excellent opportunity to examine the spatial and temporal patterns of abundance of the endemic Mediterranean sacoglossan Oxynoe olivacea. Densities of this species were recorded in March, June and October 2000 on three different habitats: the underside of boulders (UNB), the upper side of boulders (UPB), and the surface of concrete blocks (CB). Results showed that in March, O. olivacea was consistently more abundant on UNB whereas in June it was present exclusively on CB. The density of O. olivacea was similar in the three habitats in October. The hiding behaviour of O. olivacea and its seeming disappearance in March did not coincide with a decline of abundance of phylloids of C. taxifolia. The results represent an important basis for further studies devoted to the investigation of abundance of these marine invertebrates, which has been traditionally thought of as unpredictable.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-06-15 | Italian Journal of Zoology |