@article{fdi:010076590,
  title = {{L}imited interspecific variation in grazing susceptibility of the brown alga {L}obophora to herbivory},
  author = {{V}ieira, {C}. and {S}tenger, {P}. {L}. and {M}oleana, {T}. and {D}e {C}lerck, {O}. and {P}ayri, {C}laude},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he genus {L}obophora is a notable benthic algal component of tropical coral reefs, capable of dominating large reef areas following coral mortality and herbivory declines. {T}he alga, however, has been the object of contradictory observations in terms of susceptibility to herbivory. {U}naware of the species-richness of this genus, most studies referred to {L}obophora variegata, a species assumed to present various morphotypes and chemotypes, occupying diverse ecological niches. {V}ariation in susceptibility to herbivory has been consequently interpreted as intraspecific variation in terms of morphology and chemical composition as well as differences in herbivore guild compositions and diet across different locations (e.g., habitat, reef, region). {R}ecent taxonomic studies of {L}obophora disclosed a high species diversity, which could explain previous conflicting observations. {T}he present study tested the grazing susceptibility of seven species of {L}obophora ({L}. dimorpha, {L}. hederacea, {L}. monticola, {L}. obscura, {L}. rosacea, {L}. sonderi and {L}. undulata), which differ in growth form as well as in their chemical composition and fine-scale ecological niche on coral reefs in the southern lagoon in {N}ew {C}aledonia, to two important herbivores in {N}ew {C}aledonia, the rabbitfish {S}iganus lineatus and the sea urchin {D}iadema setosum using tank, cage, and in situ experiments. {A}ll seven {L}obophora species were markedly consumed in situ and by the two herbivores. {D}ifferences in consumption among the {L}obophora species were small but statistically significant. {L}obophora rosacea, characterized by a distinct secondary metabolome, was significantly more consumed by the two herbivores. {C}onversely, {L}. sonderi was always among the least consumed species. {T}hese results point to the possible role of chemical defense, and suggest that {L}. rosacea may produce less or different chemical deterrents than the other {L}obophora species, and that {L}. sonderi may produce deterrents active over a wider range of herbivores. {H}owever, the limited interspecific differences in consumption point to the greater importance of associational and spatial refuges as defense strategies against herbivores over chemical or morphological defenses in the genus {L}obophora.},
  keywords = {{D}efense ; {E}scape ; {H}erbivory ; {L}obophora ; {M}acroalgae ; {NOUVELLE} {CALEDONIE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {E}xperimental {M}arine {B}iology and {E}cology},
  volume = {518},
  numero = {},
  pages = {art. 151175 [6 p.]},
  ISSN = {0022-0981},
  year = {2019},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.jembe.2019.151175},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010076590},
}