Pelagic Sargassum morphotypes support different rafting motile epifauna communities

Pelagic Sargassum macroalgal rafts in the North Atlantic support sessile and motile epifauna that attract ecologically and economically important migratory organisms. Three prevalent pelagic Sargassum morphotypes vary in their degree of branching and foliation, and thus have different structural complexities that can influence their respective value as motile epifauna habitat. Sargassum fluitans III and S. natans I have denser foliation, creating a complex habitat; in contrast, S. natans VIII is more open and architecturally simple. In 2015/2016, 373 dip net samples of algae were collected from the Tropical Atlantic, Greater Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Stream, and Sargasso Sea. 20,975 individual motile epifauna from 32 taxa were recorded. Sargassum fluitans III supported higher densities of individuals and greater numbers of taxa than S. natans VIII or S. natans I, a pattern attributed to its more complex architecture and consistent with communities on benthic and floating macroalgae. Most assemblages comprised a few dominant and many rare motile epifauna; when compared to historical studies, dominant motile epifauna had shifted. These findings suggest important differences in ecological value between pelagic Sargassum morphotypes with implications for coastal and pelagic conservation strategies, which warrant consideration given recent shifts in morphotype distribution and recurring pelagic Sargassum inundation events.

Automated summary

The different morphotypes of pelagic Sargassum have varying influences on attracting epifauna, with the complex structure of Sargassum fluitans III supporting more individuals and taxa compared to the simpler Sargassum natans VIII or S. natans I. The study of 373 algae samples revealed shifts in dominant epifauna compared to historical studies, highlighting important differences in ecological value between morphotypes and implications for conservation strategies. These findings underscore the significance of considering the distribution of morphotypes and recurring Sargassum inundation events in coastal and pelagic conservation efforts.