三亚蜈支洲岛海洋牧场近岛区底表大型底栖动物群落结构及评价

三亚蜈支洲岛海洋牧场拥有丰富的岛礁生物资源。为掌握海洋牧场近岛区的底表大型底栖动物群落组成和分布特征及其影响因子、评估海洋牧场底栖生态系统健康状况, 本研究于2020—2021年进行了底表大型无脊椎动物群落季节变动的调查。结果表明: 近岛珊瑚礁区共鉴定出棘皮动物、软体动物、节肢动物3大门类90种, 其中秋季种类数最多为55种, 夏季种类数最少为16种; 底表大型底栖动物的年平均丰度为0.87±0.26ind.·m^-2, 年平均生物量为76.99±34.32g·m^-2。群落聚类分析(cluster)与多维排序尺度分析(multidimensional Scaling, MDS)表明, 该区域群落结构季节性差异不显著, 各站位间群落结构受沉积物性质以及人类活动的频繁程度的影响, 形成北部与南部区域2个聚类组。全年的物种丰富度指数d为2.7±1.16, 多样性指数H′为3.14±0.88, 均匀度指数J为0.76±0.11。基于多样性指数H'及多变量海洋生物指数(Multivariate-AZTI′s marine biotic index, M-AMBI)评价指标, 海洋牧场近岛区环境除夏季为轻度污染外, 其他季节均为无污染状态。采用动物丰度与生物量比较曲线(abundance-biomass curves, ABC曲线)法评价底栖动物群落稳定性状况得出, 除冬季以外, 其他季节底表大型底栖动物群落受到一定程度干扰, 尤其是夏季群落结构稳定性较低。建议应持续关注底表大型底栖动物群落变动, 调整、优化涉海休闲旅游活动, 以保证蜈支洲岛海洋牧场生态系统的长期健康与稳定。     

崇明岛内河大型底栖动物群落组成及分布特征

大型底栖动物是河流生态系统中重要的生态类群,研究其群落组成及分布特征能为河流生态系统管理提供理论支撑。2018年6月(夏季)和11月(秋季),在崇明岛内河设置16个固定站点,开展了拖网和地笼相结合的大型底栖动物调查,分析研究了崇明岛内河大型底栖动物群落的组成与分布特征及影响因子。调查期间共采集到大型底栖动物14种,分属5目8科,主要为节肢动物。其中,淡水型10种,河口半咸水型3种,降海洄游型1种。从空间分布来看,北横引河记录12种,南横引河记录6种,竖河记录11种;不同河道大型底栖动物群落组成均以淡水型种类为主,主要优势物种为日本沼虾(Macrobrachium nipponense)和秀丽白虾(Exopalaemon modestus);北横引河大型底栖动物群落的物种数、多度及生物量均高于南横引河;而竖河介于两者之间。夏季大型底栖动物群落的物种数、多度和生物量均高于秋季,季节变化是崇明岛内河大型底栖动物群落组成变化的重要特征之一。综合来看,崇明岛内河大型底栖动物群落组成特征兼具内陆河流和河口区特点,它与崇明岛区位特征、河流水文及生境条件、水质特征及区域人类活动等多种因素有关。     

Habitat modification in tidepools by bioeroding sea urchins and implications for fine‐scale community structure

By creating novel habitats, habitat‐modifying species can alter patterns of diversity and abundance in marine communities. Many sea urchins are important habitat modifiers in tropical and temperate systems. By eroding rocky substrata, urchins can create a mosaic of urchin‐sized cavities or pits separated by exposed, often flat surfaces. These microhabitats appear to harbor distinct assemblages of species. We investigated how a temperate rocky intertidal community uses three small‐scale (<100 cm²) microhabitats created by or adjacent to populations of the purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus): pits occupied by urchins, unoccupied pits, and adjacent flat spaces. In tidepools, flat spaces harbored the highest percent cover of algae and sessile fauna, followed by empty pits and then occupied pits. The Shannon diversity and richness of these sessile taxa were significantly higher in flat spaces and empty pits than in occupied pits. The composition of these primary space holders in the microhabitats also varied. Unlike primary space holders, mobile fauna exhibited higher diversity and richness in empty pits than in flat spaces and occupied pits, although results were not significant. The protective empty pit microhabitat harbored the highest densities of most trophic functional groups. Herbivores, however, were densest in flat spaces, concordant with high algal coverage. These results suggest the habitats created by S. purpuratus in addition to its biological activities alter community structure at spatial scales finer than those typically considered for sea urchins.     

中国亚热带-热带3个海区微型鞭毛虫群落优势种和稀有种的分布特征和建群机制

海洋微型鞭毛虫是海洋微型真核浮游生物中非常重要的一大类群,在构成和维持海洋生态系统的结构和功能中扮演着重要角色。微生物群落通常由少数优势种和大量稀有种组成,这种分布模式在海洋微型鞭毛虫群落中也极为常见,并且二者的内在特征可能对群落生物地理分布格局以及生态系统功能产生不同影响。然而在多数研究中并未将两种不同亚群落进行区分,对二者的分布特征、对环境和空间因子的响应以及在总体群落中的生态地位等的认识十分有限。本研究利用高通量测序技术,调查了中国近海亚热带 热带3个自然海区微型鞭毛虫群落中优势种和稀有种的分布特征,并探讨了环境因子和空间因子与不同亚群落之间的关系,利用中性模型揭示了中性过程在群落构建中的作用,最后通过共现网络分析解析了两种不同亚群落在总体群落中的生态地位。结果表明：3个海区微型鞭毛虫群落中的优势类群和稀有类群在多样性和物种组成上具有不同的特征,表现出一定的生物地理分布格局;这与它们受到不同程度环境因子和空间因子的驱动作用有关;中性模型的结果体现了随机过程在两种亚群落中的重要作用;最后,共现网络关系反映出不同丰富程度的生态类群具有重叠但又相异的生态位,从而在同一环境中形成物种的共存,维持了群落结构的稳定,而稀有类群以较高的连接度和更高比例的关键种数目,在网络关系中起到重要的连接作用。本研究初步揭示了中国近海微型鞭毛虫优势种和稀有种的分布特征和建群机制,为深入认识海洋微型鞭毛虫的群落结构、分布格局以及影响其群落构建的生态过程提供理论依据。     

Epiphytic seaweeds and invertebrates associated with South African populations of the rocky shore seagrass Thalassodendron leptocaule — a hidden wealth of biodiversity

Seagrasses support a great diversity of epiphytic organisms. There are no detailed published accounts of algae and animals growing on seagrasses in South Africa. The seagrass Thalassodendron leptocaule (previously known as Thalassodendron ciliatum) is unique among southern African seagrasses in that it occurs on exposed rocky outcrops along the Mozambican and north-eastern South African coasts; most other seagrasses are restricted to sheltered bays and estuaries. Here we present accounts of species of flora and fauna identified growing epiphytically on this seagrass in northern KwaZulu-Natal. A total of 52 taxa of macroalgae and 204 species of macroinvertebrates were identified as epiphytic on South African T. leptocaule. The most frequently observed macroalgal epiphytes were predominantly Rhodophyta and were common among periodically exposed, intertidal and subtidal habitats. The crustose red coralline algae Pneophyllum amplexifrons and Hydrolithon farinosum were frequently observed, primarily on stems and leaves of the seagrass respectively. The most diverse groups of epiphytic invertebrates were Arthropoda, Annelida and Mollusca, which together comprised 76% of the macroinvertebrate species recorded. This seagrass species is evidently an important substratum and ecosystem that supports a hidden wealth of biodiversity.     

The putative impacts of the non‐native seaweed Sargassum muticum on native communities in tidepools of Southern California and investigation into the feasibility of local eradication

The ecological impacts of introduced seaweeds have been relatively understudied. Current research suggests that seaweed invasions often result in alterations of native marine communities and disruptions of normal ecosystem functioning, but the effects on native communities can vary among invasive seaweed species, among habitats and over small and large spatial scales. In this study, the impacts of Sargassum muticum, a non‐native brown alga introduced into southern California, USA, several decades ago, were examined by comparing community structure in rocky inter‐tidal pools with and without the seaweed. Sargassum muticum appeared to have little impact on the native community despite measures revealing changes in the abiotic conditions of pools, with S. muticum presence reducing light penetration and ameliorating pool temperature changes during low tides. In other regions and habitat types, S. muticum presence often, but not consistently, resulted in declines in macrophyte diversity and/or abundance and increases in faunal assemblages. The lack of effects of S. muticum in this study, combined with variable impacts by S. muticum and other invasive seaweeds worldwide, suggests that predicting the effects of introduced seaweeds is problematic and warrants further research. Regardless of the effects on native communities, there is often a desire to eradicate or control the spread of non‐native seaweeds. In this study, localized S. muticum eradication attempts, including manipulations of a native canopy and herbivorous urchins, proved unsuccessful as full recovery occurred in ~9 months. While eradication efforts conducted worldwide have resulted in mixed success, there is a trend that early detection and rapid response can increase success, highlighting a need for systematic monitoring and establishment of regional rapid response plans.     

Distribution of Benthic Communities on the Tropical Rocky Subtidal of Armação dos Búzios, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract.  Few studies have described the spatial patterns of rocky sublittoral benthic communities in Brazil, where these habitats are almost exclusively located on the southeast and south coastline. The fauna and flora were analyzed using a quadrat method, and the species abundance and distribution were determined along transects down to the bottom sand plain on 10 rocky shores at Armação dos Búzios, Brazil. The 16 most common species accounted for around 97% of the benthos coverage and included cnidarians, algae, poriferans, and echinoderms. Cnidarians and algae were the most important groups, with abundance ranging from 13–66% and 27–68%, respectively. The species distribution indicated a clear depth zonation pattern. The algal community dominated the shallowest depths in sites more exposed to waves and steeper substrate slope, whereas the cnidarian community, divided into the zoanthidean Palythoa caribaeorum and the coral Siderastrea stellata , was more abundant from intermediate to greater (4 m) depths. Different community patterns were found between sites, demonstrating that different spatially discrete factors may be acting on each rocky shore.     

九段沙湿地大型底栖动物分布特征及其影响因子

大型底栖动物是盐沼湿地中最重要的生物类群之一。本文以长江口九段沙湿地为研究区域,于2016年10月在江亚南沙、上沙和下沙的不同区域沿高程梯度设置固定采样站点,对大型底栖动物、沉积物和植物进行取样调研,分析研究了大型底栖动物的分布特征及其影响因子。结果表明:(1)大型底栖动物沿高程梯度的分布具有一定规律性:低潮带环节动物的多度和生物量均最高,中潮带软体动物的物种数最多,高潮带甲壳动物的多度和生物量均最高;(2)不同区域由于环境条件的差异,大型底栖动物沿高程梯度的分布特征也有明显差异;(3)对大型底栖动物分布特征有显著影响的生境因子主要包括沉积物中值粒径、氧化还原电位和植株密度等,不同区域、不同生境中对大型底栖动物的分布特征有显著影响的生境因子也有一定差异;(4)互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)的入侵改变了生境条件,进而对大型底栖动物的分布特征产生影响。在今后的研究中,要充分考虑不同区域、不同高程之间环境条件的差异,进一步探讨盐沼湿地大型底栖动物的分布特征及影响因子的综合作用。     

Intertidal Invertebrate and Algal Communities on the Rocky Shores of the Bay of Morbihan, Kerguelen (South Indian Ocean)

Abstract. Both the emergent surfaces and tide pools of the rocky intertidal shores of the Bay of Morbihan, Kerguelen are depauperate in number of macroinvertebrate and macroalgal species. Diversity (H') was high and similar for macroinvertebrates in tide pools from the high to low intertidal and on the emergent surface exposed at extreme low-tide when calculated in terms of numbers of individuals. H' was lower when calculated in terms of energy and twice as high for the tide pool in the high intertidal than the lower tide-pools and the emergent surface. H' for macroalgae was 0 in the highest tide-pool and highest in the lower tide-pools. The density/species-rank curves for the macroinvertebrates and the macroalgae are logarithmic but vary in linearity. Algal biomass was 37 % of the macroinvertebrate biomass on the emergent surface at the extreme low-tide, but 106% in the highest tide-pool. Twenty-three months after denudation of the tide pools, the ratios of total densities of the macroinvertebrates (ind m^-2) to the original densities were 48 % for the pool in the high intertidal, 25 % for the middle tide-pool, and 4 % for the pool in the low intertidal. The diversity indexes for the macroinvertebrates were similar to the original ones. Recolonization at Kerguelen is slow and shows an intertidal gradient. The composition of the rocky intertidal community at Kerguelen results from the rigorous physical environment and the small number and functional types of species. In the absence of major predators on macroinvertebrates and of herbivores on macroalgae, interaction among the species present seems to be competitive in nature.     

江苏小庙洪牡蛎礁大型底栖动物多样性及群落结构

基于2011年春季的生态调查资料,报道了江苏小庙洪自然潮间带牡蛎礁大型底栖动物的多样性及其群落结构。通过16SrDNA基因序列分析发现,在小庙洪牡蛎礁内分布有3种牡蛎(熊本牡蛎Crassostrea sikamea、近江牡蛎C.ariakensis和密鳞牡蛎Ostrea denselamellosa),其中分布于潮间带区的造礁活体牡蛎为熊本牡蛎,其平均密度和生物量分别为(2199±363)ind/m2和(12361±1645)g/m2。在该牡蛎礁内记录到定居性大型底栖动物(不包括3种牡蛎)共计43科66种,礁体大型底栖动物的总栖息密度和生物量分别达到(2830±182)ind/m2和(499.59±35.41)g/m2,显著高于邻近的软相潮间带泥(沙)质滩涂[密度(102±29)ind/m2;生物量(53.10±22.80)g/m2]和潮下带泥滩[密度(140±60)ind/m2;生物量(43.23±22.37)g/m2](P<0.001)。     

Succession patterns of polychaetes on algal‐dominated rocky cliffs (Aegean Sea,Eastern Mediterranean)

Ecological succession has been scarcely investigated on sublittoral rocky cliffs. The few relevant studies deal with the structure of the developing community and are limited to higher taxa or sessile forms. The objective of the present study was to examine succession patterns on algal‐dominated rocky cliffs both at the structural (species composition) and functional (feeding guild composition) level, using Polychaeta, a dominant taxon in this marine habitat, as a reference group. Cement panels were seasonally installed on the rocky substratum (25–30 m depth) and sampled every 3 months over a 1‐year period. Twenty‐nine polychaete species were recorded, previously reported from the surrounding benthic community, and classified into eight feeding guilds. Most species were assigned as sessile filter‐feeders; this guild dominated in abundance and biomass. A strong effect of the length of immersion and of the seasonal onset of succession on the developed communities was assessed: species composition analyses suggested convergence into a similar organization as succession proceeds, whereas the impact of starting season on succession was stronger when analysing feeding guilds. In both cases succession was faster on panels installed in winter. The main emerging patterns were in agreement with relevant surveys of the entire benthic fauna, thus supporting the efficacy of polychaetes as a surrogate group for studying ecological succession in the benthic marine environment.     

Ecophysiological differences between vesicomyid species and metabolic capabilities of their symbionts influence distribution patterns of the deep‐sea clams

This study provides an analysis of vesicomyid bivalve–symbiont community distribution across cold seep and hydrothermal vent areas in the Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California, Mexico). Using a combination of morphological and molecular approaches including fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and electronic microscopy observations, vesicomyid clam species and their associated symbionts were characterized and results were analyzed in light of geochemical conditions and other on‐site observations. A greater diversity of vesicomyids was found at cold seep areas, where three different species were present (Phreagena soyoae [syn. kilmeri], Archivesica gigas, and Calyptogena pacifica). In contrast, A. gigas was the only species sampled across the hydrothermal vent area. The same haplotype of A. gigas was found in both hydrothermal vent and cold seep areas, highlighting possible contemporary exchanges among neighboring vents and seeps. In either ecosystem, molecular characterization of the symbionts confirmed the specificity between symbionts and hosts and supported the hypothesis of a predominantly vertical transmission. In addition, patterns of clams could reflect potential niche preferences for each species. The occurrence of numerous traces of vesicomyid movements on sediments in the sites colonized by A. gigas seemed to indicate that this species might have a better ability to move. Furthermore, variation in gill sulfur content could reveal a higher plasticity and sulfur storage capacity in A. gigas. Thus, the distribution of vesicomyid species across the chemosynthetic areas of the Guaymas Basin could be explained by differences in biological traits of the vesicomyid species that would allow A. gigas to more easily exploit transient and punctual sources of available sulfide than P. soyoae.     

Spatial Variation in the Structure of Kelp Forest Communities Along a Wave Exposure Gradient

Abstract. Four sites were sampled in kelp (Macrocysiis pyrifera) forests occupying rocky bottom habitats along a wave exposure gradient in central California. Consistent betwecn-site differences were found in the three major structural elements - the surface canopy, the undcrstory assemblage, and the ground cover/turf assemblage - of kelp forest communities. Macrocysiis pyrifera was found at all four sites. Nereucyslis tuelkeana only at the most exposed site. The understory kelps Laminaria setchellii and Pterygopltora californica were also characteristic of exposed sites. Articulated coralline algae were more abundant at exposed sites than protected, while fleshy red algae showed the opposite pattern. All four study sites were located along 8.5 km of coastline, and thus were assumed to have available to them the same species pool for colonization. The substrate composition was the same and the amount of unconsolidated substrate was similar at all four sites. We suggest that exposure to wave-generated water motion, through its influence on the surface canopy and therefore on the amount of light reaching the bottom, is responsible for these between-site differences.     

Community structure of infaunal macrobenthos around vestimentiferan thickets at the San Clemente cold seep,NE Pacific

The San Clemente cold seep lies within 100–200 km of other reducing habitats in the NE Pacific, offering an opportunity to compare diversity and species overlap among reducing habitats (i.e. whale‐, kelp‐, and wood‐falls) at similar depths within a single region. Video observations from the research submersible Alvin at the San Clemente seep (1800 m depth) indicated clumps (‘thickets’) of vestimentiferans distributed as meter‐scale patches interspersed with vesicomyid clam beds and black sediments. Sediment‐core samples were collected at distances of 0 to 80–200 m along randomly oriented transects radiating outward from vestimentiferan thickets to evaluate changes in macrofaunal community structure from thickets into the background community. Macrofaunal abundance was elevated at distances of 0–1 m compared to 80–200 m (i.e. the ‘background’ community). The tube‐building frenulate worms Siboglinum spp., along with peracarid crustaceans, dominated sediments within 1 m of vestimentiferan thickets. Species diversity was depressed within 1 m of thickets but with high rates of species accumulation, suggesting that seep sites greatly increase sediment heterogeneity and facilitate colonization by non‐background macrofaunal species. Stable isotope data indicate chemosynthetic nutrition for some dominant macrofaunal species within 1 m of tubeworm thickets. The macrofaunal community near vestimentiferan thickets in San Clemente seep contains intermediate levels of species richness and diversity compared to other deep‐sea seep areas in the northeast Pacific. There was low species overlap between the San Clemente seep macrofauna and communities in reducing habitats near wood‐, whale‐, and kelp‐falls at similar depths within the region, suggesting that seeps harbor a distinct infaunal community.     

北部湾涠洲岛珊瑚礁底栖贝类的群落特征

珊瑚礁是全球生物多样性最高的海洋生态系统之一,底栖贝类是该生态系统的重要组成类群。为了解北部湾涠洲岛珊瑚礁底栖贝类的群落现状及特征,于2015年秋季(10月)与2018年春季(5月)采用水肺潜水截线样条定量调查法对涠洲岛珊瑚礁区6个断面的底栖贝类进行了调查,并分析了物种组成、丰度、生物多样性指数等群落特征。综合两次调查结果显示涠洲岛珊瑚礁区共有底栖贝类128种,分别属于多板纲1科1属3种,腹足纲25科46属68种,双壳纲22科31属57种。优势种为斑顶拟舌骨牡蛎、粗衣蛤、刺荔枝螺、马蹄螺、杂色牙螺、青蚶、旗江珧、甲虫螺、蕾丝蟹守螺、珠母爱尔螺。2018年春季定量断面采集到的样品为2纲14科43种,各断面的丰度、生物量、多样性指数、物种丰度指数和均匀度指数均值分别为3.39个/m2、86.94 g/m2、3.31、3.50、0.37。通过对两年的调查数据比较,发现2015?2018年涠洲岛珊瑚礁区的贝类生物群落呈现良好演替发育趋势。南海珊瑚礁区贝类群落结构可能受到了人为干扰强度和纬度的双重影响。本研究全面掌握了涠洲岛珊瑚礁底栖贝类的种类、分布区及群落的结构与变化,可为该地区海洋生物资源开发利用、珊瑚礁保护和生态修复等工作提供数据支持。     

Distribution of Sessile Invertebrates in a Rocky Sublittoral Community off Rimsky‐Korsakov Islands (Sea of Japan)

Abstract. The dependence of the vertical distribution of sessile macrobenthos upon environmental physical factors was studied in a community inhabiting rocky substrata at 2 to 15 m depth near the Rimsky‐Korsakov Islands (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan). Three separate groups of species were distinguished within this community. The main dominant species are the anthozoan Metridium senile and the mussel Crenomytilus grayanus. Water movement, bottom inclination and topographic position of the studied sites in respect to prevailing water flows influence the spatial structure of sessile invertebrates. No vertical zonation in the scale of the studied sublittoral area below the 2 m depth level was observed. The studied factors are believed to condition the observed mosaic of patches characterized by specific composition, with a single species being dominant.     

唐山祥云湾海洋牧场海域网采浮游植物群集特征研究

为研究唐山祥云湾海洋牧场海域网采浮游植物群集特征, 于2020年11月至2021年11月在祥云湾海洋牧场海域进行了浮游植物及环境因子的周年逐月调查。共鉴定浮游植物41属78种, 其中硅藻33属62种, 甲藻7属15种, 硅鞭藻1属1种, 年均丰度为205.58×10⁴ cells/m³, 多样性指数H''为2.88。与近岸非增殖海域不同, 该海域浮游植物的丰度及群落结构指数在春夏季水生生物繁生期达到全年最低。优势类群的季节演替明显, 其中, 3~5月以诺氏海链藻最占优势, 9~10月以角毛藻和中肋骨条藻最占优势, 周年优势类群以圆筛藻和角毛藻最占优势, 其优势度变动在6月前以圆筛藻显著为高, 之后则以角毛藻显著为高; 此外,甲藻的优势度在泛冬季(11~2月)达到最高。鱼礁区与对照区的对比结果显示, 两区域浮游植物的群落变化均可划分为泛冬季低温期(11~2月)、春夏季繁生期(3~6月)、泛秋季降温期(7~11月)三个时期。链状浮游植物的丰度在礁区明显高于对照区, 而非链状浮游植物则相反; 与生物作用关系密切的溶解有机碳、pH值在礁区低于对照区, 而总磷和溶解态硅则相反。Pearson相关及冗余分析(RDA)显示, 两区域浮游植物与环境因子的显著相关关系在不同时期差异明显。春夏季繁生期牡蛎礁上的贝类滤食活跃, 浮游植物与环境因子的关系最为密切, 浮游植物与环境因子的相关关系达到显著水平的数量最多。礁区与对照区浮游植物的群集特征差异可能受到礁体附着生物活动及潮汐往复流混合作用的影响。     

Spatial pattern of coastal fish assemblages in different habitats in North‐western Mediterranean

Variability of fish assemblages across habitat structures can depend on spatial scales. A hierarchical sampling design was used to assess the spatial variability of temperate fish assemblages in different habitats and at multiple scales. Underwater visual censuses were carried out along the coasts of Elba Island (NW Mediterranean) on Posidonia oceanica beds, rocky algal reefs and sandy habitat at three spatial scales, namely tens of metres (individual replicates), hundreds of metres (sites) and tens of kilometres (locations). At the assemblage level, there was a clear relationship between fish and habitat type and the observed habitat‐related differences were largely dependent on species identity. Fish assemblages on P. oceanica beds and rocky reefs shared a high number of species, whereas overlap with sandy assemblages was negligible. Multivariate analyses revealed significant differences in fish assemblages among habitats, although there was also a significant habitat × site interaction. These differences relied mainly upon assemblage composition and species richness. Assemblages on rocky reefs and P. oceanica meadows usually harboured a higher number of species and individuals compared with sandy assemblages. Nevertheless, the patterns of habitat‐related differences in species richness and, especially, in the total number of fish, changed significantly from site to site. Eight species showed significant differences over habitats, but they were not consistent due to the interaction of habitat with site. Predictability of fish at both assemblage and population levels decreased with the scale of observation, and the spatial pattern of fish observed at the smallest scale was likely dependent on factors other than habitat type.     

Macroalgal associations of motile epifaunal invertebrate communities on coral reefs

Small grazing motile epifaunal invertebrates play an important ecosystem role on coral reefs, influencing both the abundance and composition of macroalgal communities and acting as a key food source for a range of predatory fishes. The first aim of this study was to investigate the associations between motile epifaunal communities and four common macroalgal species (Lobophora variegata, Dictyota divaricata, Microdictyon marinum and Halimeda opuntia) on fore‐reef environments in the Exuma Cays (Bahamas, wider Caribbean). Secondly, we investigated the implications of the well documented rise of Caribbean macroalgal cover on invertebrate densities by surveying sites inside and outside the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP), where increases in parrotfish grazing intensity inside the marine reserves have led to reductions in macroalgal cover. Therefore, surveys compared similar reefs with significantly different macrolagal cover. Comparisons between macroalgal species revealed a four to fivefold difference in motile epifaunal densities per unit volume of macroalgae. Post‐hoc tests revealed that this difference was significant only for Lobophora, with no difference observed among the other species. As macroalgae provide both a refuge from predation and a food source for grazing epifauna, the higher densities of epifauna observed in Lobophora may be attributed to either refuge from visual predators through morphological features (high cover of overlapping blades close to the substrate) or lack of palatability for parrotfish grazing, providing a more stable refuge. Our results revealed no significant differences in diversity, density or community structure of motile epifauna per unit volume of macroalgae between sites inside and outside the ECLSP. Since canopy height and invertivore biomass did not vary systematically across reserve boundaries, this suggests that algal cover does not affect the density of epifaunal invertebrates. However, areal cover was consistently higher for all macroalgal species at sites outside the ECLSP than those inside the reserve. Therefore, when scaled by aerial cover of macroalgae, total abundance of epifauna was twofold higher outside the ECLSP. We suggest that the increasing abundance of macroalgae on Caribbean reefs may be having dramatic effects on epifaunal invertebrate populations and potentially their ecological functions.     

Spatial variability of intertidal rocky shore assemblages in the northwest coast of Portugal

The spatial variability of rocky shore assemblages of the northwest Portuguese coast was studied in a total of 12 transects, visited twice between March and August 2003. Each transect was positioned from the upper to the lower shore and four replicate samples (50 × 50 cm) were taken at each visually identified assemblage. Multivariate analysis was used to test the null hypothesis of no significant differences among assemblages located on different heights along the transect and among assemblages located at the same height on different transects. The distribution pattern of organisms along the height was not consistent across transects and significant variability could be found in assemblages located at the same height on the shore. Globally, the variability from the lower to the upper shore (vertical axis) was larger than from transect to transect (horizontal axis) but the distribution pattern along height was clearer in sheltered transects than in exposed ones. The heterogeneity in composition between the visually identified assemblages, within the same transect, was, however, the major source of variability in the study area. In the rocky intertidal northwest coast of Portugal, where tidal amplitude is broad and extremely wave-exposed sites are scarce, height above chart datum was the most important factor determining the distribution and species composition of the assemblages. However, variability along the horizontal axis was also significant and should be considered in studies of spatial patterns of distribution of organisms within this area.