You are here

FAU Collections » FAU Research Repository » FAU Student Research » FAU Graduate Student Research

Mechanisms for coexistence of two species of octopus at a shallow water habitat

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2014
Summary:
Ecological components such as availability of resources, physical make-up of the environment, and biotic interactions amongst and between species are factors that determine habitat selection and coexistence of organisms within a community. A stable coexistence of species within a community is possible if the limited resources are partitioned to be speciesspecific. However, sympatric species are expected to exploit similar resources. Two species of octopus Octopus vulargis and Macrotritopus defilippi with similar ecological requirements coexist at an intra-coastal habitat. The ecological phenomena of coexistence of species can be quantified by measuring the ecological components of the niche. The objective of this study is to identify the components that facilitate coexistence. The ecological components being examined include: general habitat location, habitat heterogeneity, foraging and feeding times and locations, and biotic interactions. Global Positioning System will be used to determine the general location of the octopus species den. The importance of habitat heterogeneity will be addressed by looking at substrate make-up of the different species dens. Foraging and feeding times and locations will be recorded to determine any temporal or spatial influence on species coexistence. Field observations and laboratory habitat selection experiments will be conducted to determine what habitat each species selects in the presence and absence of the other species. Our studies will allow identifying ecological components that facilitate coexistence of sympatric species, provide insight to cephalopod ecology, and conservation at a heterogeneous environment, which is of importance to maintain marine biodiversity and ecotourism in south Florida.
Title: Mechanisms for coexistence of two species of octopus at a shallow water habitat.
106 views
15 downloads
Name(s): Bennice, Chelsea
Hanlon, Roger
Brooks, W. Randy
Graduate College
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Abstract
Date Created: 2014
Date Issued: 2014
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 1 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Ecological components such as availability of resources, physical make-up of the environment, and biotic interactions amongst and between species are factors that determine habitat selection and coexistence of organisms within a community. A stable coexistence of species within a community is possible if the limited resources are partitioned to be speciesspecific. However, sympatric species are expected to exploit similar resources. Two species of octopus Octopus vulargis and Macrotritopus defilippi with similar ecological requirements coexist at an intra-coastal habitat. The ecological phenomena of coexistence of species can be quantified by measuring the ecological components of the niche. The objective of this study is to identify the components that facilitate coexistence. The ecological components being examined include: general habitat location, habitat heterogeneity, foraging and feeding times and locations, and biotic interactions. Global Positioning System will be used to determine the general location of the octopus species den. The importance of habitat heterogeneity will be addressed by looking at substrate make-up of the different species dens. Foraging and feeding times and locations will be recorded to determine any temporal or spatial influence on species coexistence. Field observations and laboratory habitat selection experiments will be conducted to determine what habitat each species selects in the presence and absence of the other species. Our studies will allow identifying ecological components that facilitate coexistence of sympatric species, provide insight to cephalopod ecology, and conservation at a heterogeneous environment, which is of importance to maintain marine biodiversity and ecotourism in south Florida.
Identifier: FA00005803 (IID)
Collection: FAU Student Research Digital Collection
Note(s): The Fifth Annual Graduate Research Day was organized by Florida Atlantic University’s Graduate Student Association. Graduate students from FAU Colleges present abstracts of original research and posters in a competition for monetary prizes, awards, and recognition
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005803
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.