The influence of boulder shape on the spatial distribution of crustose coralline algae (Corallinales,Rhodophyta)

Studies investigating the many ecologically and economically important species in benthic boulder habitats often use artificial boulders for determining species colonization. In some cases square‐edged blocks are used that are shaped much differently than the ovoid or ‘round’ boulders often occurring naturally. Here it was tested if the shape of boulders affects the distribution across the boulder surface of crustose coralline algae (CCA), a taxon that strongly influences ecological dynamics in this habitat. The distance that CCA extends from the edge of boulders toward the centre of the underside was measured, and it was found that CCA extended further underneath boulders that were round‐shaped compared with those that were block‐shaped, probably because of light reaching further underneath round boulders. This result shows how at least one important taxon can be affected by variation in the shape of these boulders. Hypotheses being tested that use artificial substrata to model naturally occurring boulders should be carried out only in places where the artificial and naturally occurring boulders match physically.