Effects of a habitat-modifying eelgrass epibiont on predator success and epifaunal survival

Structural complexity plays an important role in mediating predator-prey interactions. Structural elements can limit predator mobility and ability to detect prey, increasing prey survival. Seagrasses are marine plants that provide refuge for many fishes and invertebrates by increasing the structural complexity of the benthos. Though prey survival often is positively correlated with seagrass biomass or shoot density, seagrasses frequently are...