Integrative Biology Commons^™

Herbivory Effects On Thalassia Testudinum Leaf Growth And Nitrogen Content, J. C. Zieman, R. L. Iverson, John C. Ogden

Integrative Biology Faculty and Staff Publications

The pattern of turtle grazing on Thalassia testudinum in St. Croix seagrass beds begins with the establishment of a grazing plot by initial removal of leaf blades, followed by repeated grazing of several centimeter-long leaf blades within a maintained grazing area. Plants within the grazed area exhibit increased specific growth rate as a consequence of increased light flux to unepiphytized leaf bases. Leaf width is reduced in the grazed area as a consequence of grazing stress. The leaf bases contain a higher proportion of nitrogen and a lower lignin content than the leaf tips, in addition to lacking epiphytes. Our …