The effect of bacterial and diatom biofilms on the settlement of the bryozoan Bugula neritina

摘要

Biora tenerrima, Nitzschia constricta and a 5-day-old natural biofilm, while the lowest settlement was found on a N. frustulum film. A three-way analysis of variance demonstrated that the density of bacteria and the presence of particular species of diatoms and bacteria in combined biofilms, significantly affected the settlement of B. neritina larvae. High settlement of larvae (50-90%) at all treatments indicated that B. neritina larvae are much more indiscriminate settlers than previously expected. Hence, using this species as a monitoring organism to trace ecologically relevant subtle changes of settlement cues in the natural environment should be carefully re-examined.