Ecological lever and interface ecology: epibiosis modulates the interactions between host and environment

Abstract

The properties of the body surface play a crucial role in most interactions of marine organisms. Critical ecological properties such as drag, morphology, uptake and release of radiation and organic matter are linked to the body surface of an aquatic organism. The properties and functions of this interface may be modified substantially by the presence and activities of epibiotic communities. This, in turn, may lead to substantial modulation of the interactions between the organism bearing epiphytes and its environment, with consequences for the relative fitness of the host organism (basibiont) and its interactors, and ultimately, the structure and functioning of the assemblage. Epibiosis may act as an ecological lever via these indirect effects, greatly amplifying or buffering biotic and abiotic stress.

Keywords:

• epibiosis
• indirect effects
• interaction modulation
• ecological lever function

Acknowledgements

This mini-review has benefited considerably by comments from Tilman Harder, Sergey Dobretsov, Narsinh Thakur and two anonymous reviewers. The author greatly appreciates their input.