Natural history of Bimeria vestita Wright, 1859 (Hydrozoa, Bougainvilliidae) in the rocky intertidal of Mar del Plata (Argentina)
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Abstract
The population dynamics, reproductive period and substrate preference of the hydroid Bimeria vestita Wright, 1859 were analyzed from October 1990 to February 1992 in the rocky intertidal zone of Mar del Plata (Argentina). Colonies were found year-round, with maximun abundances in summer and autumn (60% of the colonies). During these periods the colonies produce gonophores. Bimeria vestita is more frequently found on colonies of the hydroids Sertularella mediterranea Hartlaub, 1901 (58.1%) and Tubularia crocea (Agassiz, 1862) (37.5%) than on other substrates (4.4%). Seasonal differences in substrate preferences were observed. Tubularia crocea was the most preferred substrate in spring and summer (75–80%), while S. mediterranea was preferred in autumn and winter (70–80%). Stolonial growth of B. vestita suggests a "guerrilla" strategy to avoid competition in the basal zones of the substrates.
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