Structures and functions of coralline algal ecosystems as settlement and nursery habitats for rocky reef resource organisms

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Changes in benthic animal communities, food-web structures and population dynamics of dominated animal species on crustose and articulated coralline algal beds, were investigated. Larvae of abalone species selectively settle on crustose coralline algal beds, while larvae of Japanese turban snail preferentially settle on articulated ones. Interspecific interactions between juvenile abalone or juvenile turban snail and other benthic animals in their nursery microhabitats were examined. Ecological implications of selective settlement of larval abalone and turban snail were discussed.