Temporal dynamics of algal epiphytes on Leathesia marina and Colpomenia sinuosa macrothalli (Phaeophyceae)

Abstract

This is the first study on the temporal dynamics of the epiphyte communities of Leathesia marina and Colpomenia sinuosa, in terms of richness, diversity and abundance, and their relationships between the hosts and the environmental factors. A total of 31 epiphyte taxa were recorded, with the two hosts sharing 64.5% of the epiphytic species found. The red algal epiphytic group had the highest abundance on both hosts and the diatoms presented the highest species richness. The epiphyte species on L. marina showed a progressive increase in abundance during the warm seasons that was related to the end of the macroscopic life stage of the host. They also showed a greater specific richness on L. marina than on C. sinuosa, but a lower diversity and evenness, and a clear dominance of the species Urospora penicilliformis and Erythrotrichia carnea. Low abundance of epiphytes was found on C. sinuosa, without temporal variation, but high diversity and evenness and without any dominant species. In addition, a clear zonation was observed on this host, where epiphytic abundance decreased on the lateral and upper part of the thallus.