Shallow marine bioerosion: preliminary results of an experimental study

Abstract

Test blocks were placed off a rocky shore on Rhodes, Greece at -3m to -17m. Retrieval of blocks each year allowed the progress of bioerosion to be monitored. Rapid colonization by endolithic algae was followed by recruitment of browsing chitons and echinoids. The first boring sponges arrived in year 1 but was barely visible until year 2. After six years, stable blocks were deeply bioeroded. The slow progress implies that, in the fossil record, well bioeroded substrates such as skeletons and hardgrounds represent several years rather than months of depositional hiatus. -from Authors