作者: S. M Williams , S. C. C Steiner
关键词:
摘要: Diadema antillarum populations at many Caribbean locations have failed to recover from the pathogen- induced mortality events of 1980s. It has become clear that massive decline this herbivorous urchin and wide-spread absence a population recovery lead numerous long-term ecological consequences reef degradation. While few quantitative studies on pre-mortality exist, great effort been put forth monitor remaining their recovery. However, patchy distribution D. coupled with paucity based same methods applied undermines value local as well regional comparisons. In Dominica, ongoing assessments began in 2001. Surveys abundance are being carried out 4-month intervals six 100 m2 sites; spread over 38 km along west coast. The density differed significantly between sites, ranging 0.81 (SD=0.04) 3.13 m-2 (SD=2.10), increased by 61.11% during first five years study. Seasonal fluctuations, possibly related spawning aggregations, also evident. current Dominican reefs contrasts recorded incidents mass events, some cases resembles densities early 1970s. Prior study, no systematic were Dominica. is thus unclear what way Dominica’s affected observed elsewhere increase so far may be pathogeninduced disturbance or Hurricane Lenny November 1999. Locally, important grazer Dominican’s reefs, where over-fishing drastically reduced number fishes. On scale, island’s represent source larvae for downstream islands, given duration echinoplutei stage range larval dispersal hundreds kilometers. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 3): 97-103. Epub 2007 Jan. 15.