Ecology of Acanthophora spicifera
 
Main Ref. Trono, G.C. Jr., 2001
Remarks Usually inhabits sandy-rocky areas at the lower intertidal zone where the plants are sometimes exposed to air during very low tides; found up to the upper subtidal zone and in tidepools (Ref. 80758). In Fiji, found in the high subtidal or lower intertidal zones of relatively sheltered rockflats or mudflats and sandbanks, restricted to areas where persistent low water salinity was likely to be rare; in Laucala Island, Suva Harbour, Fiji, A. spicifera were attached to rocks in the intertidal zone (Ref. 82232). Connor (1983) reported that plant size and condition of Panamanian Acanthophora decreased during the hot windless season (November-January) in combination with low tides. Small A. spicifera were found in Nasese/Nasova (near Ratu Sukuna Road junction), Suva Harbour, Fiji attached to rocks; there was abundance of A. spicifera plants in Salia Reef (navigation mark opposite Nasova Police College), attached by holdfasts to rubble and soft corals; in Kaba Peninsula, Fiji, A, spicifera plants were common on rocky areas of the intertidal, usually on the headlands along this coast and particularly within 1 km of Kaba Point itself. Along the water line of Nukusasa sandbar, Fiji were unattached fragments of A. spicifera. A lot of A. spicifera plants were growing on the rocky weather side of Tokatoka ni Kubu Reef, Fiji. Attached to rocks in deeper water at the reef's edge in Cakalevu Reef, Fiji. In the south coast of Viwa Island, Fiji, along the fringing rocky shelf, A. spicifera plants were quite common down to about 1 m depth (Ref. 82232).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Acanthophora spicifera may be found.

Habitat

Substrate Benthic: sessile; Soft Bottom: sand; mud; Hard Bottom: rocky; rubble;
Substrate Ref. Trono, G.C. Jr., 2001
Special habitats Beds: algae/seaweed; rock; sea grass; Coral Reefs; Corals: soft corals
Special habitats Ref. Trono, G.C. Jr., 2001

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type
Feeding type Ref.
Feeding habit
Feeding habit Ref.

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method original sample unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items
Ref.
Ref. [ e.g. 3742]
Glossary [ e.g. cnidaria]
Back to Search
Comments & Corrections