Vietnam, Con Dao - A dense colonisation of marine hard-substrate organisms on the surface of a coastal rock. The round, calcareous structures mainly belong to barnacles (Cirripedia), which are sessile crustaceans that permanently attach themselves to solid surfaces. Between them are the remains of mussel shells, presumably Bivalvia, which occur in similar intertidal zones but are not firmly attached like barnacles. This community belongs to the so-called epibionts - organisms that live on other surfaces without damaging them. The strong intermixing of different growth stages, from freshly settled larvae to larger, eroded exuviae, indicates a long-term, multi-cyclic colonisation. Such structures are typical for the intertidal area, i.e. the zone that is regularly covered and uncovered by the sea. They are regarded as ecological hotspots, as they not only harbour filter feeders, but also create microhabitats for algae, small crustaceans and other invertebrates. The motif is suitable for topics such as marine biology, biodiversity of the intertidal zone, biofouling, ecological succession or the adaptation strategies of sedentary coastal organisms.
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