南麂列岛火焜岙潮间带底栖纤毛虫物种多样性和群落时空分布

纤毛虫是潮间带沉积物中多样性高且丰度占优势的类群,其群落结构可反映环境状态。于2013年11月(秋季)、2014年2月(冬季)、5月(春季)和8月(夏季)开展了南麂列岛火焜岙砂质潮间带沉积物中纤毛虫物种多样性和群落结构的时空分布研究。结果表明,该生境中底栖纤毛虫物种丰富,共检获148种纤毛虫,涉及19目70余属;纤毛虫的丰度和物种组成呈现显著的季节差异和垂直分层差异。其中,丰度占优势的纤毛虫按食性依次为菌食类群、肉食类群和藻食类群;已非典型的砂隙纤毛虫区系,而是呈现出某些有机质丰富的泥沙质沉积物中的纤毛虫群落的特点,这可能是该生境受人类活动影响的后续效应。但纤毛虫物种多样性较高,这表明尽管存在人类干扰的长期效应,潮间带周边环境良好,对周边居民及设施的动迁等多样性保护措施可能已经产生了向好的结果。     

莱州湾近岸海域浮游纤毛虫群落组成和季节变化

浮游纤毛虫是真核微型生物的重要类群,在浮游生态系统中发挥着重要作用。利用传统形态学与高通量测序技术相结合的方法,于2020年9月至2021年8月对莱州湾三山岛近岸浮游纤毛虫进行每月两次的调查。对环境DNA的18S rRNA基因的V4区进行高通量测序,结果显示无壳寡毛类(占纤毛虫序列丰度的40.14%)和砂壳纤毛虫(10.67%)是优势类群,并且具有明显的季节变化。无壳寡毛类在冬季序列相对丰度最高,主要由急游虫属(Strombidium)和急游虫科未定类群(Strombidiidae_X)组成;砂壳类在春夏季序列相对丰度最高,主要由砂壳目未定类群(Tintinnida_XX)和拟铃虫属(Tintinnopsis)组成。浮游纤毛虫群落的β多样性呈现显著的季节变化,而α和β多样性在站点间差异均不显著。与环境因子的RDA分析显示,总有机碳和溶解氧含量是影响纤毛虫群落结构的主要环境驱动因子。形态学方法共检获鉴定17种纤毛虫,分别隶属于7个属,其中砂壳类在多样性和检获频率上均为最优势类群。研究填补了莱州湾三山岛海域浮游纤毛虫的多样性、群落结构和季节动态研究的空白,同时为深入研究温带海湾近岸浮游纤毛虫群落的长期变化规律以及对环境因子的响应机制提供本底资料。     

基于高通量测序分析的荣成扇贝养殖区微型浮游生物群落结构研究

运用Illumina高通量测序技术对2011年7月荣成八河扇贝养殖区和楮岛扇贝养殖区中微型浮游生物群落组成特征进行研究,结果表明,在浮游植物种类组成上,2个样品中共检测到22个纲,其中海金藻、硅藻、绿藻、甲藻和隐藻是主要类群,多形微眼藻和抑食金球藻的18SrDNA相对丰度较高;在浮游动物种类组成上,2个样品中共检测到16个门,在八河扇贝养殖区18SrDNA相对丰度较高的浮游动物是软体动物、有孔虫和纤毛虫,而在楮岛扇贝养殖区则是环节动物的18SrDNA相对丰度较高。结果表明,荣成扇贝养殖区有暴发褐潮的可能,需采取有效措施进行应对。     

三亚大东海砂质潮间带小型底栖生物的时空分布及影响因素

于2015年和2016年对三亚大东海砂质潮间带进行了季节性的调查,对小型底栖生物及其所处的沉积环境进行了研究,探讨了小型底栖生物的丰度、生物量和群落的时空变化及其与环境变量的关系。共鉴定小型底栖生物类群11个,优势类群为海洋线虫类与桡足类(二者占总丰度83.13%);小型底栖生物年平均丰度为(595.77±442.72)ind·10cm~(–2),小型底栖生物2015年12月的平均丰度为(768.70±533.22) ind·10cm~(–2), 2016年6月平均丰度为(422.85±236.42) ind·10cm~(–2)。丰度分布呈现明显的季节和潮区差异。相关分析结果表明pH、偏态系数与小型底栖生物的丰度呈极显著的负相关,分选系数、中值粒径与之呈极显著的正相关性。小型底栖生物的丰度随季节变化趋势为冬季夏季。食物丰度、溶氧量升高与沉积物粒径的变化是冬季桡足类丰度的大幅增加的主要原因。TWO-WAY ANOVA与ANOSIM结果显示,潮带对小型底栖生物丰度和群落结构的影响在冬季显著。SIMPER分析结果显示,此差异主要来源为桡足类和线虫类。BIOENV分析结果显示,溶氧量和分选系数的组合最能解释这种差异。这一结果可能是由于高、中潮带的人为干扰与砂滩的清理作用导致。夏季潮带间丰度与群落结构差异不显著,pH、盐度、叶绿素含量是影响其分布的主要原因。研究结果可为砂质滩小型底栖生物的研究提供基础数据,也可为全球气候变化背景下砂质潮间带的保护、开发和利用提供科学依据。     

互花米草入侵对漳江口红树林保护区的影响研究

文章根据2019年、2020年漳江口红树林保护区内互花米草、沉积物、潮间带底栖生物的调查结果,结合历史遥感影像资料分析互花米草的入侵过程。结果表明：漳江口红树林保护区互花米草高潮区株高略低于同潮区红树植物,亦低于中潮区互花米草株高,更倾向于向光滩扩张;研究区域互花米草区沉积物中总氮、硫化物和有机碳含量高于光滩,全盐含量低于光滩;根据研究区域的遥感影像分析,2011—2019年漳江口互花米草保持较高的速率扩张,2020年互花米草扩张进入稳定期;根据丰度生物量比较法,2020年互花米草区的潮间带底栖生物群落结构较2019年稳定。在研究互花米草入侵对滨海湿地的影响时,除了考虑调查方法、时空因素和样地互花米草入侵时间的长短外,还应考虑互花米草入侵的不同扩张时期。     

长江口邻近海域夏季底栖纤毛虫的多样性与群落结构特点

采用Ludox-QPS方法,研究了2011年8月采自长江口邻近海域9个站位沉积物中纤毛虫的群落结构及分布特点,并结合沉积环境进行综合分析。结果表明,表层8cm沉积物中底栖纤毛虫的平均丰度为(2782±1493)cells/10cm2,生物量为(10.06±6.41)μgC/10cm2。长江口海域北部站位的丰度和生物量呈从近岸向外海增加,南部的站位呈现相反的分布趋势。在垂直分布上, 62%的底栖纤毛虫分布在表层2cm, 12%分布在5—8 cm。本研究共检获纤毛虫106种,隶属于15纲/亚纲, 24目, 69属,前口纲在丰度及生物量上均为最优势类群(丰度占45.5%,生物量占56.4%),核残迹纲在生物量上居第二位。就食性来看,肉食性纤毛虫物种数最多(44种),其丰度和生物量所占比例也最高(40.3%,66.8%),但在长江口外站位(M1站),菌食性纤毛虫为最优势摄食类群。分析表明,研究海域底栖纤毛虫群落结构与底层水盐度最相关。聚类分析结果显示,由于较多量的伪钟虫属(Pseudovorticella)和原领毛虫属(Prototrachelocerca)种类出现导致长江口北部L1站的纤毛虫群落结构不同于其他站位。本研究所获底栖纤毛虫的丰度和生物量较东海离岸海域已有研究结果均高,表层8cm沉积物中纤毛虫的丰度约是上层30m水柱中浮游纤毛虫的116倍,生物量约是后者的150倍。基于目前黄东海有关底栖纤毛虫物种多样性的已有报道,其多样性在长江口离岸海域高于近岸潮间带,且在离岸海域东海低于黄海。     

稀有OTU对海洋底栖纤毛虫群落异质性的影响研究

运用高通量测序技术分析微型生物多样性时, 生物学重复间常表现出明显的异质性, 这可能是高比例的稀有可操作分类单元(operated taxonomic unit, OTU)造成的“假象”。为明晰陆架海区站位间及同一站位重复间底栖纤毛虫群落的异质性水平, 并探明稀有OTU与群落异质性的关系, 给出去除稀有OTU阈值的科学建议。本研究在东海选取具有明显环境梯度的4个站位, 每站位采集3个重复沉积物, 采用高通量测序技术研究纤毛虫群落与分布。研究表明同一站位重复间群落不相似度在30%~34%, 重复间群落的高差异性会掩盖地理距离较近的站位间差异(33%)。各个站位重复间共有OTU分别占该站位检获的总OTU数的34.4%, 31.9%, 39.5%和36.5%, 而序列数基本占据94%以上。相对丰度小于0.1%的OTU占总OTU数的80%。依次去除相对丰度低于0.01%至0.1%的OTU, 发现去除稀有OTU能够有效降低重复间差异, 去除越稀有的OTU, 降低效果越强; 对站位之间的差异影响较小, 且站位差异越大影响越小。稀有OTU的分布随机性极强, 基本与站位无关。相对丰度低于0.015%的OTU是造成重复间群落异质性的主要原因, 去除该部分OTU可更真实地展现底栖纤毛虫的群落异质性。     

黄河口大型底栖动物群落结构特征及其与环境因子的耦合分析

为探究复杂环境下的河口大型底栖生物群落结构特征,研究了黄河口及其毗邻海域内14个站位的底栖生物群落结构及其与主要环境因子的耦合关系。研究结果表明调查海域底栖生物群落组成和结构的空间异质性较高。底栖生物优势度不明显,优势物种集中于河口附近站位。生物多样性随离河口距离增加而增加,物种丰富度和生物多样性指数等的高值区均出现在远离河口的渤海湾和渤海中部站位,低值区位于近河口站位。对底栖生物群落的非参数多维排序(nMDS)和等级聚类分析显示,底栖生物群落结构相似性较低。丰度/生物量曲线(ABC曲线)分析显示,黄河口底栖生物群落整体上处于稳定状态,但近河口和莱州湾中西部站位受到干扰影响,群落结构不稳定。研究还表明生物量大的底栖生物(软体动物)倾向于向重金属含量较高的站位聚集。综合沉积物化学、预测毒性和底栖生物群落结构变化的评价结果可知,远离黄河口的沉积物环境质量普遍较好,而河口附近的沉积物环境质量较差。     

2012年6月份桑沟湾褐潮期间浮游植物和浮游纤毛虫群落结构特征

报道了2012年6月份桑沟湾藻华期间的浮游植物和纤毛虫群落结构,并对环境因子进行了初步分析。研究发现,藻华原因种为一种直径为2μm左右的小球型藻类,细胞形态和粒径均与近年来在中国秦皇岛近岸海域频繁引发水华的超微型浮游植物相似。藻华发生期间,调查区海水中藻华原因物种细胞丰度高达109个/L,高于2011年同期调查区该物种藻华期间的细胞丰度(108个/L)。除藻华原因种外,其他浮游植物共鉴定38种,隶属3门23属,以硅藻和甲藻为主,优势种为:具槽帕拉藻(Paralia sulcata)、裸甲藻(Gymnodinium sp.)、圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus sp.)、长菱形藻(Nitzschia longissima)和太平洋海链藻(Thalassiosira pacifica)等。纤毛虫共鉴定3属5种,以砂壳纤毛虫为主,优势种为百乐拟铃虫(Tintinnopsis beroidea)。细胞丰度分布方面,藻华原因种从湾内向湾外逐渐降低;硅藻细胞丰度在位于湾口处的6号站位最高,并向湾内和湾外递减;甲藻和纤毛虫细胞丰度均从湾内向湾外降低,这分别由优势种裸甲藻和百乐拟铃虫的分布决定。分析发现,调查区藻华原因物种细胞丰度与海水温度和层化系数呈良好的正相关性,与盐度呈负相关性;与裸甲藻和百乐拟铃虫细胞丰度呈良好的正相关性,这两种异养微型浮游生物对藻华原因种的摄食能力值得探索。与历史资料的对比发现,调查区藻华期间浮游植物群落多样性下降,群落稳定性降低。     

1991年皮纳图博火山灰沉降物对南海海洋环境及硅藻生长的影响

通过对菲律宾皮纳图博(Pinatubo)火山1991年6月爆发前后南海表层沉积物及沉降颗粒物中的硅藻丰度及群落组成进行分析,试图揭示皮纳图博火山爆发对南海硅藻生长的影响.研究发现,火山爆发后南海沉积物中硅藻相对丰度显著减少,原因主要在于皮纳图博火山喷发物大量沉积于南海深海,显著提高了南海沉积速率,同时稀释了沉积物中生源...     

泉州湾洛阳江口2种红树林生境大型底栖动物群落多样性比较

为探讨泉州湾洛阳江口桐花树和秋茄2种红树林生境的大型底栖动物群落是否存在明显差异,于2011年4月至2012年1月对2种红树林生境的大型底栖动物进行了季度定量调查.结果表明：4个季度在2种红树林生境定量取样获得大型底栖动物49种,其中多毛类15种,腹足类8种,甲壳类15种,鱼类3种,昆虫2种,刺胞动物、扁形动物、纽形动物、星虫动物、寡毛类和双壳类各1种.寡鳃齿吻沙蚕（Nephtys oligobranchia）、短拟沼螺（Assiminea brevicula）、弧边招潮蟹（Uca arcuata）、指海葵（Actinia sp.）等在2种生境均有较高的栖息密度,可口革囊星虫（Phascolosoma esculenta）是2种生境的常见种,但栖息密度不高.虽然秋茄生境的大型底栖动物平均生物量高于桐花树生境,但桐花树生境的大型底栖动物群落的物种数、栖息密度、多样性指数（H’）、均匀度指数（J）和丰富度指数（d）均高于秋茄生境.单变量双因素方差分析（Two-way ANOVA）表明,2种红树林生境的大型底栖动物群落的多样性指数和均匀度指数有显著的季节差异、生境差异以及生境×季节差异.聚类分析表明,2种红树林生境的大型底栖动物群落组成的相似性较高,其原因是它们所处的潮区相同、沉积物类型相似和底质粒径相近.     

Molecular diversity and biogeography of benthic microeukaryotes in temperate seagrass (Zostera japonica) systems of northern China

The productivity and health of seagrass depend on the combined inputs of nutrients from the water and sediments in which they grow and the microbiota with which they live intimately. However, little is known about the composition and diversity pattern of single-celled benthic eukaryotes in seagrass meadows. Here, we investigated how the structure and diversity of the benthic microeukaryotic community vary with respect to season, location, and seagrass colonization, by applying 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing for 96 surface sediment samples that were collected from three different seagrass habitats through four seasons. We found that benthic microeukaryotic communities associated with seagrass Zostera japonica exhibited remarkable spatial and seasonal variations, as well as differences between vegetated and unvegetated sediments. Diatoms and dinoflagellates predominated in the benthic microeukaryotic communities, but they were inversely correlated and displaced each other as the dominant microbial group in different seasons or habitats. Mucoromycota was more prevalent in vegetated sediments, whereas Lobulomycetales and Chytridiales had higher proportions in unvegetated sites. Total organic carbon and total organic nitrogen were the most important environmental factors in driving the microeukaryotic assemblages and diversity. Our study expands the available knowledge on the biogeographic distribution patterns and niche preferences for benthic microeukaryotes in seagrass systems.     

Spatial organisation of macrozoobenthic communities in response to environmental factors in a coastal lagoon of the NW African coast (Merja Zerga,Morocco)

Merja Zerga lagoon, located on the Moroccan Atlantic coast, is a site of international value (Ramsar Site) in terms of its ornithological diversity. However, the lagoon is heavily exploited for its clams and fishes. In an effort to further understanding of lagoon ecosystems, and thus to facilitate the management and conservation of their resources, an ecological survey of its benthic component was carried out. Benthos is a valuable food source for birds, fishes and humans. This work involved identifying the macrozoobenthic communities in the lagoon and assessing their spatial distribution. The study was based on monthly sampling of the intertidal zone and seasonal sampling in subtidal zone, over a one-year period. In the intertidal zone, salinity and median diameter and silt content of the sediment exhibited a gradient extending from the entrance to the inner lagoon, according to tidal flow. Sediment grain size characteristics reflected a gradual decrease of tidal currents from the lagoon entrance towards the inner parts of the lagoon, i.e. silt content increased with distance from the entrance. In the subtidal zone, the tidal currents were fairly strong throughout the lagoon, leading to the presence of coarser sediments than in the intertidal zone. Based on these physical, chemical and substratum characteristics, three communities were identified: (i) Cerastoderma edule and (ii) Scrobicularia plana communities were located in both the intertidal and subtidal zones; and (iii) a Tapes decussata community that was only found in the subtidal zone. The assemblages in the subtidal zone were more diverse and the mean abundances of the constituent species were higher than in the intertidal zone, which is an interesting feature for a lagoon environment. Communities were distributed along an ecological gradient, without showing a discontinuity or ecotone. The lagoon functioned like an estuary in which the community structure was controlled by edaphic factors in the intertidal zone, and by the hydrological factors in the subtidal zone.     

荣成月湖潮间带单细胞趋磁细菌的多样性研究

Marine magnetotactic bacteria were collected from the intertidal sediments of Yuehu Lake(China), where their abundance reached 103–104 ind./cm3. Diverse morphotypes of magnetotactic bacteria were observed, including cocci and oval, vibrio-, spirillum-, rod-, elliptical-, handle- and bar-shaped forms. The magnetococci were the most abundant, and had flagella arranged in parallel within a bundle. The majority of magnetosomes were arranged in one, two or multiple chains, although irregular arrangements were also evident. All the results of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) analysis show that magnetosome crystals were composed of Fe3O4, and their morphology was specific to particular cell morphotypes. By the 16 S r RNA gene sequence analysis, we found fourteen operational taxonomic units(OTUs) which were related to magnetotactic bacteria. Among these, thirteen belonged to the Alphaproteobacteria and one to the Gammaproteobacteria.Compared with known axenic and uncultured marine magnetotactic bacteria, the 16 S r RNA gene sequences of most magnetotactic bacteria collected from the Yuehu Lake exhibited sequence identities ranging from 90.1% to96.2%(97%). The results indicate that microbial communities containing previously unidentified magnetotactic bacteria occur in the Yuehu Lake.     

Size-dependent distribution and feeding habits of Terebralia palustris in mangrove habitats of Gazi Bay, Kenya

The gastropod Terebralia palustris often dominates the surface of muddy to sandy substrates of intertidal mudflats and mangrove forests, where they clearly destabilize the sediment. In the present study, it was investigated whether and to what extent the behaviour of juvenile and adult snails differs among habitats (mudflat vs. mangrove stand) in a Sonneratia alba mangal at Gazi Bay, Kenya. For this purpose we: (1) examined their distribution along three land–sea transects; and (2) applied stable isotope analysis to determine the feeding patterns of different-sized snails from the mangrove and mudflat habitats. Additionally, we investigated if these gastropods exert an impact on microphytobenthic (diatom) biomass, and whether this is size-dependent. The latter objective was met by either enclosing or excluding different-sized snails from experimental cages on the intertidal mudflat and the subsequent assessment of a change in pigment concentration of the sediment surface. In agreement with several previous studies conducted in other mangroves and geographical locations, a spatial segregation was demonstrated between juveniles (more common on the mudflat) and adults (more common in the mangrove forest). On the intertidal mudflat juveniles avoided sediment patches characterized by highly saline water in intertidal pools and a high mud content, while adults tended to dwell on substrates covered by a high amount of leaf litter. Stable carbon isotope analysis of the foot tissue of snails sampled from the S. alba stand and the mudflat indicated a transition in food source when a shell length of 51 mm is reached. Considering the δ¹³C value of juveniles, it seems they might be selecting for microphytobenthos, which might explain their preference for the mudflat. The diet of size classes found in both habitats did not differ significantly, although juveniles inhabiting the mangrove forest were slightly more depleted in ¹³C compared to those residing on the mudflat. Assuming juveniles feed on benthic microalgae and considering the lower microalgal biomass inside the mangrove forest, this may be a consequence of a higher contribution of other, more ¹³C depleted organic carbon sources, like phytoplankton, to their diet. Experimental results indicate a negative, but insignificant, impact on benthic diatom biomass by juveniles (due to grazing) and adults (due to physical disturbance). This finding seems to be in agreement with the results of the stable carbon isotope analysis, strongly suggesting the selective feeding of juvenile T. palustris on benthic diatoms.     

大亚湾潮间带底栖生物种类组成与分布

于１９８８年９月－１９８９年１月在大亚湾潮间带采集底栖动物标本，经分类研究发现，共有５４７种，其中藻类９１种，多毛类１２０种，软体动物２０９种，甲壳动物８３种，棘皮动物１９种，其他动物２５种。研究表明，其区系性质以热带亚热带暖水种占多数，有许多热带种发展成优势种。在水平分布上，岩石相种类（３１６）＞沙滩种数（２２２）＞红树林泥滩（５１）；在垂直分布上，中潮区种数（３９８）＞低潮区（２２１）＞红树林     

The diffusive fluxes of inorganic nitrogen across the intertidal sediment-water interface of the Changjiang Estuary in China

1IntroductionEstuaries are the main channels linking bothland and coastal seas,through which pass matterleached from land into rivers,together with anthro-pogenic matter discharged directly into the estuaries.During the past few decades,increasing concern…     

广西沿海不同演替阶段红树群落沉积物粒度分布特征

沉积物粒度分布是影响红树群落演替的重要因素之一。本文对代表广西红树群落演替趋势的白骨壤(Avicennia marina)、秋茄(Kandelia candel)、木榄(Bruguiera gymnorrhiza)3种红树群落沉积物进行了粒度分析。结果表明:3种红树群落沉积物类型均以砂和粉砂为主,随着红树林群落保存状况的逐渐变差,砂的含量逐渐上升,粉砂和黏土含量逐渐下降;沉积物粒径分布趋势均为砂粉砂黏土砾。木榄和秋茄2个群落底床沉积物不同深度沉积物粒径分布规律一致,但与白骨壤群落存在差异;3种红树群落的沉积物粒度频率曲线均呈现为双峰或多峰形态。     

Seasonal and spatial variation in species diversity, abundance, and element accumulation capacities of macroalgae in mangrove forests of Zhanjiang, China

The objective of this study was to investigate whether there was distinctive seasonal and zonal variation in the species diversity, biomass, and element accumulation capacities of macroalgae in two major intertidal mangrove stand types （Avicennia marina assemblage andSonneratia apetala assemblage） in the Zhanjiang region of southern China. Over a year, 31 species in 15 genera were identified in both mangrove assem-blages, of which the dominant species wereCladophoropsis zollingeriand Enteromorpha clathrat.Macroal-gal species were significantly most abundant in spring （p〈0.05）, followed by summer, winter, and autumn. Variation in the zonal distribution of macroalgal species was conspicuous in both intertidal mangrove as-semblages, with the greatest abundance in the middle zone, and the least in the front zone. Patterns in the seasonal and zonal variation in macroalgal biomass in theS. apetalaassemblage were similar to those of macroalgal species diversity in both mangrove assemblages. The seasonal patterns in tissue concentrations of 15 analyzed elements were not uniform among the macroalgaeC. zollingeri,E. clathrata, andGracilaria salicornia in theA. marina assemblage. All three species exhibited variation in their responses to ambient concentrations of different elements, implying their differential ability to absorb and selectively accumulate certain elements.     

Benthic macro-invertebrate community composition within a mangrove/seagrass estuary in northern New Zealand

In the tropics and sub-tropics, estuarine environments with mangrove and seagrass habitats provide important structures and resources for diverse communities of benthic organisms. However, temperate estuarine habitats, especially in mangrove areas, may differ significantly in their community associations and interactions. The community composition of benthic macro-fauna was investigated within temperate Matapouri Estuary, northern New Zealand. The density and distribution of fauna were sampled within six distinctive habitats (mangrove stands, pneumatophore zones, Zostera beds, channels, banks, and sand flats), within four sampling events between December 2002 and September 2003. Each type of habitat was replicated seven times within different locations in the estuary. Counts of all infauna and epifauna within four replicate cores were recorded from each habitat and location. Multidimensional scaling plots were used to identify differences in structure and composition of assemblages among habitats and locations within each sampling event. Results from these benthic samples indicate that Matapouri Estuary has a high overall biodiversity, with distinctive faunal assemblages found within different habitats, and some seasonal variations also apparent. In terms of both number of individuals and taxa per unit area, seagrass beds had the highest numbers and mangrove areas had the lowest numbers, with all other habitats in between. Some locations were found to support a high diversity of organisms across habitats, while other locations had high densities of a few species only. Several physical and biological differences between tropical/sub-tropical and New Zealand's temperate mangrove habitats are put forth as potential reasons for the lower density and diversity of the benthic component observed herein. Further ongoing studies aim to elucidate the structure and interactions within food webs in this estuarine ecosystem.