1. Basic Observation Buoys
Introduction to Hard Substrate Epifaunal Organisms – the “Fouling Community”
May 31, 2014
John Hamilton
Marine Sciences Department
University of Connecticut
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2. Basic Observation Buoys
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3. Basic Observation Buoys Benthic Invertebrate Life Cycle
Many benthic invertebrates have a “two-phase” or “complex” life cycle:
Part of the life cycle is spent on or in the substrate
Part of the life cycle is spent in the water column
Epifaunal organisms live on a hard substrate.
Infaunal organisms live
in a soft sediment.
Meroplankton organisms live in the water column for a portion of their life cycle.
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4. Benthic Invertebrate Life History
Larvae M
Water Column
Adult
Juvenile
Title 44pt yellow, box size (H 0.83, W 9.50)in. position (H 0.25, V 0.0)in.
Main text boxes 32pt white. Reference text box 24pt normal blue. M
Substrate M
Growth and Development M
= Mortality
Strathmann, 2002

5. Basic Observation Buoys
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Electra crustulenta adult (colonial bryozoan)

6. Basic Observation Buoys
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Bryozoan larvae
Smithsonian Marine Station
at Fort Pierce

7. Basic Observation Buoys
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Botrylloides violaceus adult (colonial ascidian)

8. Basic Observation Buoys
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Botrylloides violaceus larvae
Photo: R Nolan,
University of New Hampshire

9. Basic Observation Buoys
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Styela clava adult (solitary ascidian)

10. Basic Observation Buoys Larval Settlement and Recruitment
Adult Larvae Next Generation
Settlement – changing from the larval stage in the water column to the juvenile stage on or in the substrate.
Recruitment – settlement, plus survival into the next generation *
* or, until observed by a marine biologist!
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11. Basic Observation Buoys Benthic Invertebrate Life Cycle
Why ??
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12. Basic Observation Buoys Benthic Invertebrate Life Cycle
Complex life cycle – what are the benefits and costs?
Promote dispersal to new habitats
Reduce intra-specific competition
Reduce predation risk
Access to different resources (food, space)
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13. Basic Observation Buoys Benthic Invertebrate Life Cycle
Some larvae do not feed in the water column. They are
Lecithotrophic – they obtain energy from internal sources.
Examples: colonial tunicates (Botrylloides, Botryllus).
Larvae that do feed in the water column are
Planktotrophic. Examples: solitary tunicates, some bryozoans.
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14. Basic Observation Buoys Planktonic Larval Duration
How long do larvae remain in the water column, and what are the implications of a short or long
Planktonic Larval Duration (PLD) ?
Barnacles: usually days, but can be up to 6 weeks
Solitary ascidians, bryozoans: hours to days
Colonial ascidians: minutes to a few hours
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15. Basic Observation Buoys Planktonic Larval Duration
Distance = Velocity X Time
Time = Planktonic Larval Duration
Example – Pine Island Harbor
Velocity = 10 cm/s
Time = 10 minutes (e.g. Botrylloides)
Distance = ________ ? (in meters)
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17. Thames River Pine Island Harbor Long Island Sound photo: Univ of Conn
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Credit: “UConn Photo” 20pt light blue
Pine Island Harbor
Long Island Sound
photo: Univ of Conn

18. Jesus Pineda, 2000

19. Basic Observation Buoys
How To ...
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20. Photo: Jesus Pineda, WHOI

21. Photo: City College of San Francisco

22. Photo: City College of San Francisco

23. Basic Observation Buoys
Next Step ... Build A BOB !
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24. Photo: Oregon Institute of Marine Biology

25. Photo: Oregon Institute of Marine Biology