Purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) in and out of pits: the effects of microhabitat on population structure, morphology, growth, and mortality
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Date
2006-12
Authors
Grupe, Benjamin Michael, 1981-
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) are common inhabitants of
wave-swept rocky shorelines on the Pacific Coast of North America. The effects of
microhabitat, inside and outside pits, were investigated in intertidal populations of S.
purpuratus. Nonpit urchins had significantly larger test diameters and spines, but pit
urchins had relatively larger test heights and jaw lengths, indicating possible food
limitation in pits. In a tetracycline-tagging study, nonpit urchins grew faster than pit
urchins. S. purpuratus in both microhabitats are long-lived and seldom moved, though agefrequency
distributions suggest that movement out of pits might occur between the ages of
five and ten. At South Cove, predation by oystercatchers, raccoons, and the sunflower sea
star Pycnopodia helianthoides was higher in nonpit microhabitats and is estimated to
account for most mortality of S. purpuratus. Mortality, growth, and morphology vary between microhabitats, which may have important consequences for populations of S.
purpuratus and other organisms.
Description
277 p.
Print copies of this title are available through the UO Libraries (in the OIMB Library and the Science Library), under the call number: QL384.E2 G78 2006
Print copies of this title are available through the UO Libraries (in the OIMB Library and the Science Library), under the call number: QL384.E2 G78 2006
Keywords
Sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, OIMB, Coos Bay (Or.), Arago, Cape (Or.), Cape Arago (Or.), Blanco, Cape (Or.), Cape Blanco (Or.)