Micro-habitats and Associations
Symbiotic relationships:
Pink Coralline-algal structures are abundant on Fijian reefs, occurring above 20m. This coralline algae is usually two-dimensional in shape, however the scrapping radula of the Chiton Cryptoplax larvaeformis alters the growth of the algae producing wonderful three-dimensional structures, resembling honeycomb. The grazing and resulting Altered structure of the coralline algae greatly increases it's biomass, surface area, and volume creating a unique environment and habitat for not only the Cryptoplax larvaeformis, but for all other marine life that inhabits and coral reefs of Fiji (Littler & Littler 1999).
|