Influence of habitat and host morphology on macrofaunal assemblages associated with the sponge Halichondria melanadocia in an estuarine system of the southern Gulf of Mexico

Sponges are inhabited by a wide variety of organisms and have been regarded as one of the richest biotopes in tropical seas. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the host morphology and selected environmental conditions on macrofaunal assemblages associated with the sponge Halichondria melanadocia in an estuarine system of the southern Gulf of Mexico. This sponge exhibits different growth forms when it inhabits mangrove prop roots of Rhizophora mangle (thickly encrusting form) and adjacent seagrass beds (massive, amorphous or ramose form). From a total of 50 sponge specimens collected in each habitat, a total of eight taxa (of epi‐ and endobionts) was found associated with this sponge, with polychaetes, echinoderms and crustaceans the most abundant groups. In both morphotypes (thickly‐encrusting and massive‐ramose forms), taxon richness was positively related to sponge volume and oscular diameter. The overall mean abundance of associated fauna was also positively related to sponge volume in both morphotypes and with the oscular diameter (in the seagrass morphotype only). These findings suggest that H. melanadocia constitutes an important microhabitat for a wide variety of fauna, independent of its morphology and habitat type. However, when comparing the two morphotypes, the mangrove individuals, despite having smaller sizes, smaller oscular diameter and less structural complexity, displayed an overall mean abundance of fauna 17 times higher [0.36 ± 0.18 individuals (ind.)·ml·sponge^?1] than that recorded in the seagrass individuals (0.021 ± 0.01 ind.·ml·sponge^?1). There were also marked differences in the proportions of the major taxonomic groups; in fact, some of them were found exclusively in one morphotype. The variability recorded in the composition and abundance of associated fauna between the morphotypes seems to be influenced by differences in sponge morphology, environmental conditions (e.g. sedimentation rate and light intensity), substrate orientation and the fauna inhabiting the surrounding area.     

Long-Term Investigation of Spatio-Temporal Variations in Faunal Composition and Species Richness of Megabenthos in Ise Bay,Central Japan

Based on our long-term data from megabenthos sampling from 1993 to 2002 in Ise Bay, central Japan, we examined spatio-temporal variations in taxon composition, species richness and its distribution of megabenthos in the bay in relation to the occurrence of the oxygen-poor water (i.e. oxygen content less than 3 ppm) in bottom waters of the bay. A total of 261 species were identified including 6 cnidarians, 1 tentaculate, 5 annelids, 71 molluscs, 72 crustaceans, 16 echinoderms, 12 urochordates and 78 pisces. Of the most abundant 10 megabenthos species, the following 4 species of echinoderms made up more than the half of megabenthos biomass: Luidia quinaria, Echinocardium cordatum, Asterias amurensis and Astropecten scoparius. Species richness of megabenthos varied significantly between seasons and among stations. The severity and period of occurrence of the oxygen-poor water developing every summer play an important role in determining spatial distributions of species richness in the bay.     

Food of predatory demersal fish in Hauraki Gulf

Feeding was examined in 1,194 snapper, Chrysophrys auratus (Forster), from Hauraki Gulf and north‐west Bay of Plenty. Occurrence and points (bulk) methods of food analysis were used in this study. By occurrence and bulk, crustaceans, polychaetes, echinoderms, molluscs, and teleosts formed the main snapper food groups, with crustaceans being the most important. Size of snapper, bottom type, depth, time of day and geographical regions affected the occurrence and importance of food items, while sex of fish probably did not.     

Food of snapper in western Bay of Plenty,New Zealand

Feeding was examined in 772 snapper, Chrysophrys auratus (Bloch and Schneider), from the western Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Occurrence, points (bulk), and numbers methods of food analysis were used in the study. Diet was extremely varied, and, by all methods of food analysis, crustaceans, polychaetes, echinoderms, molluscs, and teleosts formed the main snapper food groups, with crustaceans being the most important. Size of snapper, depth, sampling area, and time of day affected the occurrence, volume, and numbers of food items, while sex did not.

Seasonal feeding patterns on most species/categories of food varied locally within each sampling area, and there were no uniform seasonal feeding patterns for any food/category in the four sampling areas examined.     

Biodiversity and seasonal variation of benthic macrofauna in Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, India

From the Indian coast only limited data are available on the benthic fauna of the seagrass communities. In this study, seasonal variation in the distribution of macrobenthos and influence of environmental parameters was explored at four seagrass beds and two mangrove stations along the Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, India, from September 1999 to August 2001. A total of 160 macrobenthic species from eight major groups represented the macrofauna of the Minicoy Island. Of the identified taxa, molluscs 70（gastropods 41.46%, bivalves 7.5%）, polychaetes 27（16.88%）, crustaceans 30（18.75%）, echinoderms 11（6.88%） and remaining others. Average seasonal abundance of benthic macrofauna ranged from 219 to 711 ind./m2, species diversity varied from 1.45 to 3.64 bits per individual, species richness index ranged from 4.01 to 26.17, evenness 0.69 to 1.66. In general, the higher abundance and species diversity was noticed in southern seagrass stations and northern seagrass stations, but in the mangrove stations comparatively low species diversity was observed. Three-way analysis of variance indicated that all communities resulted as being significantly different between seagrass and mangrove station, mainly when the seasonal interaction was considered. Multivariate analyses were employed to help define benthic characteristic and the relationship between environmental parameters at the six monitoring stations. Results of cluster analyses and multidimensional scale plot suggest that for mangrove region, different physiographic provinces, lower salinity, dissolved oxygen and sediment biotic structure have a higher influence on the species composition and diversity than other oceanographic conditions.     

Biotic variation in coastal water bodies in Sussex, England: Implications for saline lagoons

Coastal water bodies are a heterogeneous resource typified by high spatial and temporal variability and threatened by anthropogenic impacts. This includes saline lagoons, which support a specialist biota and are a priority habitat for nature conservation. This paper describes the biotic variation in coastal water bodies in Sussex, England, in order to characterise the distinctiveness of the saline lagoon community and elucidate environmental factors that determine its distribution. Twenty-eight coastal water bodies were surveyed for their aquatic flora and invertebrate fauna and a suite of exploratory environmental variables compiled. Ordination and cluster analyses were used to examine patterns in community composition and relate these to environmental parameters. Biotic variation in the coastal water body resource was high. Salinity was the main environmental parameter explaining the regional distribution of taxa; freshwater and saline assemblages were evident and related to sea water ingress. Freshwater sites were indicated by the plant Myriophyllum spicatum and gastropod mollusc Lymnaea peregra, while more saline communities supported marine and brackish water taxa, notably a range of chlorophytic algae and the bivalve mollusc Cerastoderma glaucum. Site community differences were also related to bank slope and parameters describing habitat heterogeneity. A saline lagoon community was discerned within the matrix of biotic variation consisting of specialist lagoonal species with associated typically euryhaline taxa. For fauna, the latter were the molluscs Abra tenuis and Hydrobia ulvae, and the crustaceans Corophium volutator and Palaemonetes varians, and for flora they were the algae Ulva lactuca, Chaetomorpha mediterranea, Cladophora spp. and Enteromorpha intestinalis. One non-native polychaete species, Ficopomatus enigmaticus, also strongly influenced community structure within the lagoonal resource. The community was not well defined as specialist and associated taxa were distributed throughout the spectrum of sites surveyed. Implications for the identification and conservation of saline lagoons are discussed.     

Recruitment,habitat selection and larval photoresponse of Paraleucilla magna (Porifera,Calcarea) in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

Little is known about the recruitment and behaviour of sponge larvae, especially of the class Calcarea. The calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna is very common in Southeast Brazil, where it is considered a cryptogenic species. This study quantified recruitment rates in shaded and illuminated habitats for 2 years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and analyzed larval photoresponses of this species. Four structures, each containing a shaded and an illuminated surface, were exchanged every 3 months for 2 years. The number of recruits was quantified on each plate. In the laboratory, larvae of P. magna were placed in half‐shaded Petri dishes and the number of settlers in each side was counted after 24 h. Paraleucilla magna recruited continuously throughout the experiment. Recruits occurred in greater abundance on shaded surfaces than on illuminated surfaces, and the larvae were negatively phototactic in vitro. Despite the possible influence of other factors in the recruitment of sponges (such as sedimentation, competition and predation), the prevalence of P. magna in shaded habitats may also be related to larval choice.     

Macrobenthos monitoring in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt

The biogeography of macrobenthic communities with large-scale differences in species distribution and abundance was studied along the eastern and western coastal regions of the Gulf of Suez to indicate biodiversity of benthos in relation to the prevailing environmental conditions. In general, benthos have a wide variety of species of mainly polychaet worms, crustaceans, bivalves, and other bottom invertebrates living in burrows in/or on the sediment surface. Coastal development clearly affects the ecosystem after the construction of coastal projects. The highest values of benthic diversity, evenness, richness and dominance are found at the Gulf of Suez （WG 1, WG 3）, Ras Gharib （WG 7, WG 8） and Ras Shukier （WG 9a） by contrast to others. The abundance of macrobenthic organsims along the coasts of Gulf of Suez can be arranged in the following sequence： other groups （34%） greater than crustaceans （25%） greater than polychaetes （22%） greater than molluscs （17%） greater than echinoderms （2%）. The biomass of benthic assemblages at different sampling sites can also be ranked as follows： echinoderms （52%） greater than molluscs （27%） greater than crustaceans （16%） greater than polychaetes （2%） greater than other groups （3%）. Some benthic groups or species indicated a distinctive correlation to pollution sources in the marine ecosystem which obviously increased in the coastal areas due to the extension of the coastal development. These activities needed regular information to establish database for the biology and distribution of marine benthic communities. The density and diversity of benthos are significantly affected by eutrophication at Ain Sukhna, whereas the benthos in the open Gulf of Suez do not seem to be adversely affected by pollution.     

The non-native seaweed Asparagopsis armata supports a diverse crustacean assemblage

This is the first study describing the crustacean fauna associated to Asparagopsis armata, a non-native, red seaweed widely distributed along western Mediterranean coasts. First found in Australia and New Zealand, it was introduced naturally through the Strait of Gibraltar and rapidly spread out. A one-year spatio-temporal study (Feb 08-Feb 09) was carried out in the Strait of Gibraltar to characterize the spatio-temporal patterns of the associated crustacean fauna. Maximum biomass of A. armata was measured during April-June, whereas the maximum crustacean abundances were registered from June-October. In total 41 crustacean species were identified. The caprellid Caprella penantis, traditionally associated to non-polluted areas, was more abundant on Tarifa Island (higher values of dissolved oxygen and pH) than in Algeciras (lower oxygen and pH). The gammarid Podocerus variegatus was dominant in Algeciras Bay while Hyale schmidti and Apherusa mediterranea were the most abundant on Tarifa Island. Among isopods, Synisoma nadejda was only found on Tarifa Island. When compared with literature of native algae of the intertidal and shallow sublittoral, the species richness of associated crustaceans was similar in A. armata and the natives. Very little is known about the influence of this algae on altering marine communities, so complete faunistic studies dealing with other groups such as polychaetes or molluscs are necessary to properly address biogeographical, ecological and management programmes dealing with this non-native species.     

Distribution of diffuse flow megafauna in two sites on the Eastern Lau Spreading Center, Tonga

Hydrothermal vent environments are characterized by large gradients of toxic chemicals and high temperatures, which play a significant role in defining species’ distributions. We used high-resolution imagery and spatially explicit in-situ physico-chemical measurements analyzed within a Geographic Information System (GIS) in order to characterize the spatial relations among different groups of megafauna, temperature, and chemistry within two discrete vent communities (40 and 50 m²) on the Eastern Lau Spreading Center (ELSC). Chemical (sulfide and O₂ concentrations) and temperature data were obtained from approximately 75 different locations within each community using in-situ instruments. All data were integrated into a GIS, which served as a visualization tool and enabled the data to be analyzed in a spatial context. Our results confirm the importance of abiotic variables in defining the distributions of some fauna and elucidate several biological associations that are consistent between the two communities. The provannid snail, Alviniconcha spp., appears to actively avoid temperatures above 32–46 °C and/or sulfide concentrations exceeding approximately 260 μM. Slightly higher average sulfide concentrations and temperatures were measured among aggregations of Ifremeria nautilei compared to aggregations of the mussel Bathymodiolus brevior; however, the presence of mixed aggregations of the two species indicates an overlap in requirements. The brachyuran crab, Austinograea spp., was consistently observed directly on symbiont-containing species, particularly Alviniconcha spp. The solitary snail, Eosipho desbruyeresi, was rarely observed on biological substrata, but was often (60% of its population at the most active site) within 5 cm of symbiont-containing fauna, indicating a tolerance and preference for proximity to areas of high productivity. Densities and coverage of species differed substantially between the two communities despite high species overlap. Symbiont-containing species covered much larger areas at the more hydrothermally active site, ABE1, while shrimp and anemones occurred in relatively higher densities within the less-active site, TM1. This is the first study to thoroughly characterize realized distributions of megafauna at vent sites along the ELSC.     

Environmental effects on the reproduction and fecundity of the introduced calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

The calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna (Porifera, Calcarea) has been the subject of several studies in the last decade. It was first described along the Brazilian coast, where it is considered cryptogenic, and was subsequently found in the Mediterranean, where it is considered invasive. The wide artificial distribution of this species allows us to compare different aspects of the biology of an introduced species in different locations. Here, we analysed the effects of selected environmental parameters on the reproductive dynamics of P. magna in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) over 18 months and compared our results with those obtained for the same species in the Mediterranean Sea. Specimens were collected monthly and analysed through histological methods. The density of reproductive elements in each month was calculated, and the effects of environmental parameters (photoperiod, precipitation, temperature, phytoplankton and bacterioplankton) were analysed using a regression tree analysis. Paraleucilla magna was reproductive throughout the study period. The densities of the reproductive elements (oocytes, embryos and larvae) showed no seasonality, and this species presented one of the highest reproductive efforts documented to date in the phylum Porifera (99.0 oocytes · mm^?3; 89.0 embryos · mm^?3; 319.0 larvae · mm^?3). The main environmental parameters related to the reproduction of P. magna were temperature, photoperiod and bacterioplankton. Temperature was the main driver associated with the densities of oocytes and embryos, while bacterioplankton was the main driver of larvae (positive relationships). In Rio de Janeiro, larvae were present and continuously released. This strategy is different from that observed in the Mediterranean, where a larger larval output was observed but only during the summer months. Our results show that P. magna is a species with a strong invasive potential, considering its high and continuous reproductive effort. This high fecundity stimulated by high temperatures may be a key factor contributing to the growth of P. magna populations and its invasion of new areas.     

Trophic structure and production in the macrobenthos of a temperate Australian estuary

The soft-bottom fauna of Gunnamatta Bay, Port Hacking, N.S.W., was sampled to estimate the abundance, trophic structure and net production of the macrobenthos. The samples were classified into groups from spatially distinct strata, the groups differing in species abundance and diversity and in the identity of the dominant species. The composition and community structure of the fauna was generally similar to that in other sheltered embayments on the southeastern coast of Australia. Estimated production values were low for an estuary, ranging from 10 kJ m^?2 year^?1 in an intertidal stratum of well sorted sand to 210–450 kJ m^?2 year^?1 in shallow subtidal strata with an admixture of silt. Estimated net production over all strata was 160 kJ m^?2 year^?1. Polychaetes dominated production, providing 45% of the total; crustaceans provided 20%, and molluscs and echinoderms 12% each. Detritus-feeders were dominant in most strata: the bivalve Theora fragilis, the polychaetes Australonereis ehlersi and Notomastus torquatus, and the urchin Echinocardium cordatum were major contributors to overall biomass and to net production. Substantial biomass and net production was also contributed by the suspension-feeding bivalve Corbula vicaria and a carnivorous crab Ceratoplax cf. glaberrimus. Overall, detritus-feeders contributed 61% of estimated net production, carnivores 32% and suspension-feeders 7%. Production estimated for carnivores was higher than could be supported by the non-carnivore populations, suggesting that some of the species considered to be carnivores have additional feeding modes. Excessive harvesting of bivalves by humans is suggested as the main reason for the low biomass of, and therefore low production by, suspension feeders.     

Biodiversity,ecological structure,and change in the sponge community of different geomorphological zones of the barrier fore reef at Carrie Bow Cay,Belize

Changes in the relative abundance of benthic groups on the barrier fore reef at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize, point to a significant reduction of corals and an expansion of the sponge community in 1995–2009. Fifty‐one species are now present in the four geomorphological zones of this reef: the low‐relief spur‐and‐groove zone, the inner reef slope, the outer ridge, and the fore‐reef slope (to a depth of 30 m). Five species are new additions to the sponge fauna reported for Belize, and six species account for 42.6% of the total assemblage: Niphates erecta (9.60%), Aiolochroia crassa (8.8%), Niphates digitalis (6.9%), Callyspongia plicifera (6.63%), Aplysina archeri (5.37%) and Xestospongia muta (5.37%). Species richness, average density, diversity and evenness indexes are statistically similar in these four zones but some species appear to be more dominant in certain areas. In the same 30 years, coral cover has decreased by more than 90%, while the octocoral cover has greatly increased (by as much as 10‐fold in the low‐relief spur‐and‐groove zone). Thus the Carrie Bow fore reef appears to be undergoing a transition from coral dominance in the late 1970s to algae dominance today, with other benthic groups such as sponges and octocorals showing signs of gradual recovery.     

大亚湾海域石斑鱼(Epinephelus spp.)寄生单殖吸虫群落结构研究

调查了大亚湾海域13种石斑鱼(Epinephelus spp.)寄生单殖吸虫群落,结果发现有10种鱼感染单殖吸虫,占调查鱼种类的四分之三,检获单殖吸虫16种,隶属于3科5属,其中拟合片虫属(Pseudorhabdosynochus spp.)10种;除鞍带石斑(E.lanceolatus)和拟青石斑(E.fasciatomaculosus)外,8种鱼可分别感染3—7种单殖吸虫;感染单殖吸虫种类最多的是玳瑁石斑(E.quoyanus)达7种,次之是青石斑(E.awoara)和养殖的橙点石斑(E.bleekeri)均感染6种;各单殖吸虫种类中,感染强度最大的是拟合片虫(P.serrani))(棕点石斑,E.fuscoguttatus)128只/尾,次之是石斑拟合片虫(P.grouperi)(青石斑)62只/尾,接下来是斜带拟合片虫(P.coioidesis)(大斑石斑,E.macrospilos)59只/尾和杯阴拟合片虫(P.cupatus)(玳瑁石斑)49只/尾;平均密度最高的是棕点石斑上检获的拟合片虫128只/尾;在检获的16种单殖吸虫中,8种可分别寄生于2种或2种以上石斑鱼,石斑鳞盘虫(Diplectanum grouperi)和拟合片虫在6种石斑鱼上都能检获,符合广寄生单殖吸虫种特征。有5种鱼检查尾数5尾以上的,其中玳瑁石斑单殖吸虫感染率最高62.07%,其内群落的物种丰富度与宿主体长呈显著正相关。     

Diet composition and resource partitioning in two small flatfish species in the German Bight

Since the late 1980s, the small-sized non-commercial flatfish species solenette (Buglossidium luteum) and scaldfish (Arnoglossus laterna) have increased in abundance in the southern North Sea. Because these species are considered as possible competitors for prey of commercial flatfish, this study aimed at advancing knowledge of their feeding ecology.Between January 2009 and January 2010 stomach contents of solenette and scaldfish and benthic infauna were sampled seasonally in a study area in the German Bight. The objectives were to investigate the seasonal variability of feeding activity and diet composition of both flatfish species related to benthic prey availability.For both flatfish, the highest feeding activity was found in summer, at the same time that the highest prey densities occurred in the study area. A reduced feeding activity was observed during the winter of 2010, but not in the winter of 2009, probably related to higher 2009 water temperatures.In all seasons, diet composition of solenette was dominated by meiofauna, mainly harpacticoid copepods. Macrofauna prey species, namely juveniles of bivalves and echinoderms became important in spring. An increase in amphipods and cumaceans was found in the stomach contents during summer and autumn, simultaneously with their increased abundance in the benthic infauna. In contrast, polychaetes were rarely found in the diet, but dominated the infauna during all seasons.Diet composition of scaldfish was dominated by larger and mobile prey, and, during all seasons, was mainly comprised of crustaceans. Amphipods characterised the diet in both winters, while decapods such as Crangon spp. and Liocarcinus spp. were the dominant prey from spring to autumn. Additionally, juveniles of flatfish (Pleuronectids) and bivalves were found in the scaldfish diet in spring, replaced by cumaceans in summer. No dietary overlap between both flatfish species was found across seasons, indicating partitioning of prey resources between solenette and scaldfish. Their different feeding strategies and prey preferences, in turn were influenced by the seasonal variability of available prey.     

三亚蜈支洲岛珊瑚礁-沙质底复合区棘皮动物群落结构

本文以海南省三亚市蜈支洲岛典型珊瑚礁区为研究区域,于2018年8月和11月、2019年1月和4月采用样带法调查浅水区和深水区棘皮动物群落多样性,研究不同季节和深度对棘皮动物群落结构特征的影响,并依此指示珊瑚礁生态系统健康状况和受干扰程度。结果显示,共发现15种棘皮动物,其中优势种有8种,分别为黑海参Holothuriaatra、红腹海参Holothuriaedulis、黄疣海参Holothuria hilla、绿刺参Stichopus chloronotus、刺冠海胆Diadema setosum、许氏大羽花Comanthina schlegeli、本氏海齿花Comanthus bennetti和吕宋棘海星Echiaster luzohicus。春季棘皮动物种类最多,棘皮动物栖息密度呈现出春夏高、秋冬低的规律。不同水深区域棘皮动物种类组成大致相同,深水区棘皮动物栖息密度高于浅水区,但差异不显著。全年棘皮动物物种丰富度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数分别为1.2±0.10、2.5±0.12和0.66±0.040。对比研究表明,蜈支洲岛海域棘皮动物种类远多于三亚其他海域,但稍低于南海岛礁(如渚碧礁)海域。根据Shannon-Wiener指数分级评价标准,蜈支洲岛海域棘皮动物平均多样性指数为2.5,介于2与3之间,属于轻度的人为干扰。综上所述,蜈支洲岛海域珊瑚礁生态系统保护效果明显。     

Distribution patterns of macrobenthic fauna communities in Deukryang Bay,one of the environment conservation areas of Korea

Macrobenthic fauna were collected seasonally at 44 sites in Deukryang Bay from February to November, 2012. The species number of macrobenthic fauna was in the range of 140 to 181, and polychaetes comprised 41.4% of them. The average density of the whole study area changed seasonally from 755 to 1,507 ind. m^?2, and the most abundant fauna group was crustaceans which accounted for 55.1% of total abundance. An amphipod species Nippopisella nagatai was the most dominant species and a decapod species Xenophthalmus pinnotheroides, an amphipod species Photis longicaudata, and a polychaete species Paralacydonia paradoxa were also dominant in all seasons. The mean seasonal values of Shannon’s diversity index (H′) were in the range of 2.2–2.4, and those values for the evenness index and richness index were 0.7–0.7 and 4.6–5.7, respectively. From the cluster analysis, Deukryang Bay could be divided into 3 or 4 station groups with its specific fauna composition. The cluster analysis and an nMDS ordination revealed that local environmental factors such as water depth were related to the spatial delineation of macrobenthic fauna communities in Deukryang Bay.     

Expansion of the macroalga Caulerpa racemosa and changes in softbottom macrofaunal assemblages in Moni Bay,Cyprus

The recent expansion of the Red Sea macroalga Caulerpa racemosa and its impact on the diversity and abundance of macrobenthos were examined and compared in the summers of 1992 and 1997, in Moni Bay, Cyprus. The phytobenthic community of the bay in 1992 was dominated by the seagrass Posidonia oceanica while, in 1997, the Lessepsian migrant C. racemosa became the most dominant, forming extensive mats. Changes in the vegetation system in Moni Bay have caused significant compositional changes in macrofaunal assemblages. A total of 178 individuals of 62 species are recorded. The composition of the macrofauna in 1992 was dominated by gastropods (44 %), crustaceans (22%), bivalves (17 %), polychaetes (11 %) and echinoderms (6 %). In 1997, the gastropods and crustaceans had decreased to 13 % and 16 % respectively, while, polychaetes had increased to 38 % becoming the most dominant taxon. Bivalves and echinoderms also increased to 22 % and 11 %, respectively, in 1997. The proliferative growth of C. racemosa imposed successional changes on the macrofaunal assemblages in Moni Bay, Cyprus, between 1992 and 1997. It remains to be tested whether the expansion of C. racemosa is related to the increase of water temperature associated with global warming or nutrient inputs or with the differences in the life history characteristics of this migrant vs. native algal species.     

Spartina anglica eradication experiment and in situ monitoring assess structuring strength of habitat complexity on marine macrofauna at high tidal level

The cordgrass Spartina anglica is an introduced species that tends to invade sheltered sand and mudflats, at the upper low marsh level. In Arcachon Bay, a lagoon in South West of France, the cordgrass can also replace Zostera noltii beds. The consequence of cordgrass presence on macrobenthic fauna was estimated and compared to adjacent habitats (bare sands, Z. noltii sea grass beds) during one year. The communities of the three habitats were characterised by low species richness, low abundance and biomass (when Hydrobia ulvae, 90% of abundance, is not considered) and high seasonal stability. The infaunal assemblages were particularly homogeneous between habitats without any characteristic species.Cordgrass eradication experiments were performed and zoobenthic recolonisation was observed the following year. Modifications in benthic fauna were observed on epifauna only.These results highlight the limited structuring effect of habitat heterogeneity at high tidal levels and in soft-bottom sediments where desiccation becomes the dominant factor determining infauna community structure.     

浙江舟山海域大型底栖动物群落组成及主要影响因子分析

为了解舟山附近海域大型底栖动物群落组成特点及其与环境因子的内在关联,在2019~2020年对舟山附近海域12个站位的大型底栖动物及环境因子进行了调查研究。采用丰度、生物量、相对重要性指数(IRI)、Cluster聚类以及PCoA分析和Pearson相关性分析等方法对该海域的大型底栖动物群落组成、主要影响环境因子进行了分析。结果表明,两个航次共在舟山海域采集到大型底栖动物56种,其中多毛类动物28种,甲壳动物8种,软体动物7种,棘皮动物6种,刺胞动物3种、纽形动物2种,星虫动物和脊索动物各1种;两年平均丰度和生物量分别为36.32ind./m²和5.59g/m²,纽虫(Nemertea)是丰度的最大贡献者,而星虫爱氏海葵(Edwardsia sipunculoides)和棘刺锚参(Protankyra bidentata)则是生物量的最大贡献者;2020年大型底栖动物的总物种数、丰富度指数和多样性指数高于2019年,且两年舟山海域大型底栖动物的总物种数、丰富度指数和多样性指数均高于舟山邻近海域。与舟山海域大型底栖动物群落最相关的环境因子是水深、底层水盐度和硝态氮(NO₃),这三个环境因子彼此相关性显著,随着盐度的增加,水深逐渐增加而硝酸氮含量则显著降低,群落物种数、丰度和丰富度则显著增加。通过对舟山附近海域大型底栖动物群落组成特点及其与环境因子的内在关联的研究,有望为东海近岸海域大型底栖动物群落的演替规律研究提供基础数据和科学依据。