Ophiopsila pantherina beds on subaqueous dunes off the Great Barrier Reef

Woolsey, E., Byrne, M., Webster, J.M., Williams, S., Pizarro, O., Thornborough, K., Davies, P., Beaman, Robin, and Bridge, Thomas (2013) Ophiopsila pantherina beds on subaqueous dunes off the Great Barrier Reef. In: Johnson, Criag, (ed.) Echinoderms in a Changing World. Taylor & Francis, London, pp. 175-179.

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Abstract

An autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) was used to generate images of an Ophiopsila pantherina population on subaquous dunes at Hydrographers Passage, 200 km off the Australian mainland. High-resolution stereo images captured by the AUV were used to determine population structure of the aggregations, which consisted of adults at a mean density of 418 animals m⁻² at depths of 65-70 m. Ophiopsila pantherina (8-15 mm dd) takes advantage of their elevated position on the lee side of the dunes for suspension feeding. On contact stimulation, the arms emit visible light as a bright green flash that travels down the arm. These aggregated ophiuroid communities in dune fields may be a specialized natural feature for consideration in managing common inter-reefal sandy habitats within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Item ID: 24756
Item Type: Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN: 978-1-138-00010-0
Date Deposited: 01 Feb 2013 06:39
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0608 Zoology > 060808 Invertebrate Biology @ 33%
05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050202 Conservation and Biodiversity @ 34%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 33%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960507 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50%
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