Seasonal variation and structure of a decapod (Crustacea) assemblage living in a Caulerpa prolifera meadow in Cádiz Bay (SW Spain) |
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Authors: | Inmaculada Lpez De La Rosa Antonio Rodríguez J Enrique García Raso |
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Institution: | aDepartmento Biología Animal, Fac. Ciencias, Univ. Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain;bInstituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía, Pol. Río San Pedro s/n, 11510 Pto. Real, Cádiz, Spain |
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Abstract: | The decapod taxocoenosis living in shallow muddy bottoms with the green algae Caulerpa prolifera was studied monthly between February 1994 and January 1996 in the Inner Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain). More than 32,000 specimens belonging to 35 species were collected. Six species were dominant (representing the 85.8% of the total number of specimens), but the structure of the taxocoenosis was regulated by the Hippolyte species, Sicyonia carinata, Palaemon adspersus and Liocarcinus arcuatus. There was no significant qualitative difference between years. There was no clear change in the dominance of groups of species during the year, as happened in the outer Bay. This is probably due to the sheltered character of the area and the more stable and dense vegetal cover, but some seasonal differences were found.The benthic characteristics of the Inner Bay of Cádiz, such as shallow soft bottoms of fine and muddy sediments and the presence of macrophytes (seagrasses and seaweeds) might be key factors influencing the composition and structure of the general and seasonal decapod assemblage. In spite of human impacts on the bay (e.g. aquaculture activities, sewage), the values of the diversity, equitability and richness indexes appeared stable over time (higher than those found in outer adjacent areas) and no significant differences between years were found. |
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Keywords: | Crustacea Decapoda biodiversity taxocoenosis temporal variation seaweed Caulerpa coastal lagoon Spain |
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