Spatio–temporal dynamics of the nudibranch Doris kyolis living on the sponge Halichondria melanadocia

Abstract

Along with other invertebrates, hawksbill turtles, and fishes, nudibranchs are among the main sponge predators. These organisms are able to feed on sponges that typically contain a high level of secondary metabolites, which they incorporate into their body and can be stored in glands (mantle dermal formations [MDFs]) to be used for their own defense (Rogers and Paul, 1991; Wägele et al., 2006). These feeding and defensive benefits entail that many nudibranch species specialize in just one prey species or taxonomic group, suggesting an important role in the food web of benthic ecosystems (Becerro et al., 1998; Rudman and Bergquist, 2007). However, despite the important progress in understanding these interspecific relationships, there is almost no information about these species’ population dynamics in the localities they inhabit (Rogers and Paul, 1991; Knowlton and Highsmith, 2000; Page et al., 2011). This is important, especially because these predators (at high densities) may play a role in regulating the populations of their sponge prey and influence its spatial distribution (Dayton et al., 1974; Knowlton and Highsmith, 2000; Page et al., 2011).