AMPHIPODS ASSOCIATED WITH CODIUM SPECIES IN KOREA

Abstract

A comparison was made of amphipod assemblages on different species of the green alga, Codium both from a protected marine area and from a disturbed area. In addition, a laboratory experiment was conducted to determine habitat selection by amphipods. A total of five species of amphipods was found on Codium species. Amphipods were more abundant in the protected marine area; however, high numbers of amphipod species occurred on Codium fragile where that was a fouling organism in the disturbed area. The results from the experiment showed that amphipods preferred C. fragile as their habitat over any of the other species of Codium. The formation of canopies, the morphology of the plant species, and amphipod morphology, are all likely to influence the distribution and habitat selection by amphipods.