title: Interspecific facilitation in a guild of benthic marine herbivores.
abstract: Interspecific relationships and trophic function within the urchin guild are considered in light of experiments and observations performed in situ. Two conclusions are reached: 1) interactions between members of the guild contribute to its persistence, and 2) the plant-herbivore interactions so important in structuring this community can best be evaluated when guild members are treated as a unit. As with other mixed species trophic units, the mechanisms of interspecies facilitation operate to reduce the effects of predation and increase foraging efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, 98250, Friday Harbor, WA, USA.
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Duggins