Density, Spatial Distribution and Size Structure of Sea Urchins in Florida Keys Coral Reef and Hard-Bottom Habitats

Authors

Mark Chiappone, University of North Carolina - WilmingtonFollow
Dione W. Swanson, University of Miami
Steven Miller, University of North Carolina - WilmingtonFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Marine Ecology Progress Series

ISSN

0171-8630

Publication Date

6-19-2002

Keywords

Coral reefs, Florida Keys, Herbivory, Marine reserves, Population density, Recruitment, Sea urchins, Size structure

Abstract

The 1983-84 Caribbean-wide mortality of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum Philippi was followed by a 2nd mortality event during 1991 in the Florida Keys. Pre-mortality sea urchin densities were up to 5 ind. m^-2 and the large scale decline of D. antillarum is considered to be 1 factor affecting community dynamics of Florida Keys reefs. During 1999-2000, we surveyed 125 sites using a stratified random sampling design in shallow-water coral reef and hard-bottom habitats. Strip transects were sampled to assess density, habitat utilization and size structure patterns among habitat types, regional sectors and between fished and protected areas. Nearly 17 yr after the mass mortality, D. antillarum has not recovered to pre-1983 levels, with current densities no greater than 0.05 ind. m^-2, and small test sizes (1 to 2 cm) dominate. Other sea urchins such as Eucidaris tribuloides (Lamarck) and Echinometra viridis Agassiz show density and habitat distribution patterns similar to historical observations.

Volume

235

First Page

117

Last Page

126

Comments

©2002 Inter-Research

NSUWorks Citation

Mark Chiappone, Dione W. Swanson, and Steven Miller. 2002. Density, Spatial Distribution and Size Structure of Sea Urchins in Florida Keys Coral Reef and Hard-Bottom Habitats .Marine Ecology Progress Series : 117 -126. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/877.