Reproductive response of a marine annelid to winter storms: an analog to fire adaptation in plants?

Abstract

The recruitment strength of Phragmatopoma lapidosa californica, a gregarious, sedentary, tube-building polychaete from shallow marine habitats along the open coast of California [USA] was significantly correlated to wave disturbance intensity during the previous 2 to 5 mo. This relationship appears to be caused by a reproductive behavior whereby individuals respond to disastrous wave disturbance events by releasing gametes into the water column. Individuals thus maximize reproductive effort when faced with an increase in both the probability of death and the availability of settlement space. The life history characteristics of P.I. californica indicate that it is well-adapted for persistence in a frequently disturbed environment. These adaptations are analogous to those exhibited by several species of terrestrial plants in fire-disturbed communities. Intense wave events and fires are analogous disturbances in that both have similar temporal patterns, ecological effects, and extert similar selection pressures on species in each community.