Different colonization patterns of various natural substrata in the harbour environment

Bedrock lithological properties shape the structure and dynamics of benthic communities across spatial and time scales. This study investigates how mineral composition, grain size, and colour influence early colonization of benthic communities in Genoa harbour during summer 2024. Panels of marbles, travertines, quartzite, siltite and granitoids (10 × 10 cm) were used to monitor settlement of fouling species like the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite, the serpulid Hydroides elegans, and the bryozoan Schizoporella errata. Results showed the highest settlement on dark siltite and the lowest on light marbles and travertines. No significant effect of mineral composition or grain size was detected, including the expected inhibitory effect of quartz. Larval preference for darker substrata, confirmed by comparisons between marble and granitoids with varying grey levels, suggests colour as a key driver of settlement. Post-settlement survival was mainly influenced by substratum stability. These findings highlight the complex interactions between physical properties and colonization patterns.基岩岩石学特性塑造了不同空间与时间尺度下底栖生物群落 (benthic community) 的结构与动态过程。本研究于2024年夏季在热那亚港开展，旨在探究矿物组成、粒径与颜色对底栖生物群落早期定殖的调控效应。研究采用尺寸为10×10 cm的大理岩 (marble)、钙华 (travertine)、石英岩 (quartzite)、粉岩 (siltite) 与花岗岩类 (granitoids) 铺板，用以监测污损生物 (fouling species) 的附着定殖情况，受试物种包括纹藤壶 (Amphibalanus amphitrite)、华美盘管虫 (Hydroides elegans) 及膜孔苔虫 (Schizoporella errata)。结果显示，深色粉岩上的污损生物定殖密度最高，浅色大理岩与钙华上的定殖密度最低。本研究未检测到矿物组成或粒径对定殖的显著影响，亦未发现此前预期的石英抑制效应。通过对比不同灰度等级的大理岩与花岗岩类铺板，证实了幼体对深色基底 (substratum) 的偏好，这表明颜色是定殖过程的关键驱动因子。定殖后的存活率主要受基底稳定性影响。本研究结果揭示了基底物理特性与生物定殖模式之间的复杂相互作用。