Sabellariids as associates of other invertebrates and their role in the formation of benthic animal communities

Abstract

Observations on the habits of Hyatella cribriformis (Hyatt)—Sabellaria floridensis Hartman, Callyspongia diffusa (Ridley)—S. pectinata Fauvel and Montipora informis Bernard—S. pectinata Fauvel, as associates, and on the growth pattern of Pontes solida (Forskal) in response to external stimuli in the aquarium conditions suggest that the viability of habits of the component species of an animal community has an important role in the formation of benthic animal communities in the marine environment.