Epifaunal and algal assemblages associated with the native Chondrus crispus (Stackhouse) and the non-native Grateloupia turuturu (Yamada) in eastern Long Island Sound
Janiak, Dean S. and Whitlatch, Robert B. 2012. "Epifaunal and algal assemblages associated with the native Chondrus crispus (Stackhouse) and the non-native Grateloupia turuturu (Yamada) in eastern Long Island Sound." Journal of experimental marine biology and ecology, 413 38–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2011.11.016.
Although the spread of non-native algae is rapidly escalating, relatively few ecological studies have been done to gauge the impacts incurred to native flora and fauna. A reduction in the dominance of a native habitat-forming macroalga due to the replacement by an introduced species can have adverse effects on the community. The non-native red alga Grateloupia turuturu, first reported in Rhode Island, USA in 1994, has since extended its southern range into eastern Long Island Sound. This large alga has the potential to impact coastal communities by altering the floristic composition important to associated flora and fauna. A comparison of algal and epifaunal assemblages was made during 2006 and 2007 between native and non-native algal communities dominated by either G. turuturu or the native, Chondrus crispus at two sites in Long Island Sound. We found that within Grateloupia-dominated habitat, there was a large decrease in overall macrophyte biomass as compared to native habitat. We also found that habitat dominated by the non-native alga reduced species richness and total abundance of invertebrates relative to nearby habitats dominated by C. crispus. In addition, we found that the dominant mesofaunal species, important to higher trophic level consumers, had greatly reduced densities in communities dominated by the non-native alga. Published by Elsevier B.V.
