Table
5.4. The econiches of the main groups of reef zoobenthos
Mode of life, habitat
Incrusting animals
Sedentary animals
Borers
Criptofaunal animals
Symbionts and
commensals of
other animals
Animals buried
in
sand
Free-living animals
Trophic groups
Symbiotic phototrophes
Sponges, ascidians,
forams
Sponges, ascidians,
actinians, hydroids,
tridacnis
Sponges
None
Nudibranchs
Bivalve Corculum
Forams
• Feed on mucus excreted by host.
Filterers, sedimentary feeders,
planktovores
Bryozoans, sponges, ascidians
Bivalves, sponges, ascidians,
polychaetes
Sponges, bivalves, barnacles
Sponges, bryozoans, brittle
stars, polychaetes
Polychaetes, shrimps
Bivalves, polychaetes
Crinoids
Bottom plant-eaters,
detritovores and
omnivores
Forams
None
Urchins, sipunculids
Decapods, gastropods,
holothurians,
polychaetes,
sipunculids, ehiurids
Amphipods
Decapods, various worms,
urchins, holothurians
Ostracods, decapods,
asteroids, holothurians,
forams, gastropods
Predators and parasites
None
Actinians, hydroids
None
Stomatopods, decapods,
gastropods, polychaetes,
nemeretines
Decapods', planarian
worms', nudibranchs'
Polychaetes, nematods,
gastropods, urchins, crabs
Decapods, asteroids urchins,
gastropods
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