Seasonal patterns in the abundance of Ectopleura crocea (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) on a shipwreck in the Northern Adriatic. (17th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Camillo, Cristina Gioia; Giordano, Giuseppe; Bo, Marzia; Betti, Federico; Mori, Mario; Puce, Stefania; Bavestrello, Giorgio
• Is Part Of: Marine ecology. Volume 34:(2013)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2013-02-17
• Subjects: Artificial substrates -- Ectopleura crocea -- Mediterranean Sea -- North Adriatic Sea -- seasonality -- Tubulariidae; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1111/maec.12025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0173-9565

Abstract

Abstract: Ectopleura crocea is an Anthomedusan hydroid, frequently recorded and abundant on artificial substrates. Here we examine whether the abundance of this species varies seasonally on a shipwreck in the Northern Adriatic at a depth of 10–12 m. Individuals were first found in late autumn when temperatures had dropped below 15 °C, forming scattered colonies composed of a few, small hydranths bearing immature gonophores. Substratum cover and density increased throughout late winter and spring, reaching a peak in April. At temperatures of about 19 °C, colonies were no longer present in June and remained absent throughout the summer. The polyp gut contents comprised mostly crustaceans.