Vacant Bivalve Boreholes Increase Invertebrate Species Richness in a Physically Harsh, Low Intertidal Platform
Ecosystem engineers can modulate harsh abiotic conditions, thus creating habitat for species that cannot withstand the local environment. In this study, we investigated if vacant boreholes created by the rock-boring bivalve Petricola dactylus increase species richness in the low intertidal zone of a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-03-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/11/3/39 |
| _version_ | 1818039232492470272 |
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| author | María Bagur Jorge L. Gutiérrez Lorena P. Arribas M. Gabriela Palomo |
| author_facet | María Bagur Jorge L. Gutiérrez Lorena P. Arribas M. Gabriela Palomo |
| author_sort | María Bagur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ecosystem engineers can modulate harsh abiotic conditions, thus creating habitat for species that cannot withstand the local environment. In this study, we investigated if vacant boreholes created by the rock-boring bivalve Petricola dactylus increase species richness in the low intertidal zone of a Patagonian rocky shore characterized by intense hydrodynamic forcing and sediment scour. Invertebrate species richness was three times higher in engineered than unengineered habitats (i.e., with and without Petricola boreholes, respectively) and the increase in species richness was area-independent. The most prevalent species in unengineered areas showed strong adhesion mechanisms, whereas infaunal and vagile species were mostly restricted to boreholes. The positive influence of engineered microhabitats on species richness can largely be attributed to amelioration of physical conditions, particularly a reduction in hydrodynamic forces and sediment trapping/stabilization within boreholes. We conclude that vacant boreholes are essential microhabitats for the maintenance of biodiversity within the otherwise inhospitable low intertidal zone. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T07:55:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a32a408346104386a63cb700f51c4c49 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T07:55:22Z |
| publishDate | 2019-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-a32a408346104386a63cb700f51c4c492022-12-22T01:56:55ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182019-03-011133910.3390/d11030039d11030039Vacant Bivalve Boreholes Increase Invertebrate Species Richness in a Physically Harsh, Low Intertidal PlatformMaría Bagur0Jorge L. Gutiérrez1Lorena P. Arribas2M. Gabriela Palomo3Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas (CADIC-CONICET), Ushuaia V9410CAB, ArgentinaGrupo de Investigación y Educación en Temas Ambientales (GrIETA), Estación Biológica Las Brusquitas, San Eduardo del Mar B7783ADE, ArgentinaInstituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos (IBIOMAR-CONICET), Puerto Madryn U9120ACV, ArgentinaGrupo de Investigación y Educación en Temas Ambientales (GrIETA), Estación Biológica Las Brusquitas, San Eduardo del Mar B7783ADE, ArgentinaEcosystem engineers can modulate harsh abiotic conditions, thus creating habitat for species that cannot withstand the local environment. In this study, we investigated if vacant boreholes created by the rock-boring bivalve Petricola dactylus increase species richness in the low intertidal zone of a Patagonian rocky shore characterized by intense hydrodynamic forcing and sediment scour. Invertebrate species richness was three times higher in engineered than unengineered habitats (i.e., with and without Petricola boreholes, respectively) and the increase in species richness was area-independent. The most prevalent species in unengineered areas showed strong adhesion mechanisms, whereas infaunal and vagile species were mostly restricted to boreholes. The positive influence of engineered microhabitats on species richness can largely be attributed to amelioration of physical conditions, particularly a reduction in hydrodynamic forces and sediment trapping/stabilization within boreholes. We conclude that vacant boreholes are essential microhabitats for the maintenance of biodiversity within the otherwise inhospitable low intertidal zone.http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/11/3/39ecosystem engineerrock-boringboreholesharsh environmentlow intertidalrocky shoresincrease species richnessPetricola dactylus |
| spellingShingle | María Bagur Jorge L. Gutiérrez Lorena P. Arribas M. Gabriela Palomo Vacant Bivalve Boreholes Increase Invertebrate Species Richness in a Physically Harsh, Low Intertidal Platform Diversity ecosystem engineer rock-boring boreholes harsh environment low intertidal rocky shores increase species richness Petricola dactylus |
| title | Vacant Bivalve Boreholes Increase Invertebrate Species Richness in a Physically Harsh, Low Intertidal Platform |
| title_full | Vacant Bivalve Boreholes Increase Invertebrate Species Richness in a Physically Harsh, Low Intertidal Platform |
| title_fullStr | Vacant Bivalve Boreholes Increase Invertebrate Species Richness in a Physically Harsh, Low Intertidal Platform |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vacant Bivalve Boreholes Increase Invertebrate Species Richness in a Physically Harsh, Low Intertidal Platform |
| title_short | Vacant Bivalve Boreholes Increase Invertebrate Species Richness in a Physically Harsh, Low Intertidal Platform |
| title_sort | vacant bivalve boreholes increase invertebrate species richness in a physically harsh low intertidal platform |
| topic | ecosystem engineer rock-boring boreholes harsh environment low intertidal rocky shores increase species richness Petricola dactylus |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/11/3/39 |
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