Work

An Unusual Protuberant Lithophyllum sp. From Southern Spain Increases Structural Complexity in Urchin Barrens

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Urchin barrens (‘blanquizales’) are habitats dominated by encrusting non‐geniculate coralline algae and maintained by urchin grazing. Taxonomic information of coralline communities in Mediterranean blanquizales is limited. Lumpy to fruticose coralline algal specimens, unusual in blanquizales, were found along the southern Spanish coast. Sequences from these specimens resolved with foliose samples morpho‐anatomically identified as Lithophyllum dentatum. Initial observations suggested that this protuberant Lithophyllum species increases diversity in the otherwise species‐poor exposed blanquizales. When present, higher macroalgal cover was observed with algae and microfauna frequently observed as epibiotic among the coralline's protuberances.

Source: Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

DOI: 10.1002/aqc.70090

Authors: Dino Angelo E. Ramos, Jesús Del Río, Julio Peñas, Juan C. Braga

Institutions: Universidad de Granada, Junta de Andalucía

Language: English

Topic: Marine and coastal plant biology

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,730