Vertical Reefs by Wicksten Mary Katherine;

Author:Wicksten, Mary Katherine; [Wicksten, Mary K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Texas A&M University Press
Published: 2015-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

The pink barnacle Megabalanus antillensis is a characteristic inhabitant of platforms. The shells often are covered by sponges.

The seaweed blenny (Parablennius marmoreus) also lives on platforms but can be abundant on natural reefs. It is about finger-length, and can be dark brown, striped, or even yellow. Both seaweed and tessellated blennies generally stay very close to the platform and “hop” about on their lower fins. Blennies produce eggs that settle on hard surfaces rather than floating free in the water. The young are able to feed soon after hatching, and are attracted to light. They tend to concentrate near the platforms, which are lighted at night.

At the junction points of vertical and horizontal elements of the platforms live larger invertebrates and some bottom-loving fishes. The arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) forages from here out along the legs of the platform, especially at night. This long-legged animal has agile pincers, which it uses to pick morsels of food from cracks. It may look innocent, but it can also snatch and eat very small fishes. Stone crabs and oyster drills may live on these platforms, like those closer to shore, and feed on barnacles, ark shells, and other hard-shelled prey. Sea urchins (Arbacia punctulata) not only graze on algae but also on small barnacles and sponges. Sea urchins are also found on the deeper parts of jetties from Port Aransas south, but they are sensitive to changes in the salt content of the water and tend to die off if heavy rain dilutes the seawater.

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