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Seasonal Variation of the Macrozoobenthic Community Structure at Low Salinities in a Mediterranean Lagoon (Monolimni Lagoon, Northern Aegean)
Author(s) -
Kevrekidis Theodoros
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
international review of hydrobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1522-2632
pISSN - 1434-2944
DOI - 10.1002/iroh.200310703
Subject(s) - abundance (ecology) , community structure , mediterranean climate , biology , ecology , predation , seasonality , salinity , fishery , oceanography , geology
The macrozoobenthic community structure and dynamics at low salinities (0.3–6 psu) in a Mediterranean lagoon (Monolimni lagoon) were investigated. Samples were collected monthly from February 1998 to February 1999 at two sampling stations. Community structure was analyzed by means of uni‐ and multivariate methods. 21 taxa were collected; the amphipod Corophium orientale and the gastropod Ventrosia maritima dominated the assemblages. Total abundance peaked (50,000–60,000 individuals m –2 ) in mid or late autumn. Community structure showed an almost even seasonal periodicity; seasonal changes were mainly derived from the intense variation in abundance of most species and the non–occurrence of a few ones ( e.g. Corophium insidiosum, Polydora ciliata ) in spring and summer. Non– occurrence, which led to a depression of the most diversity indices, was possibly the only direct impact of the extremely low salinities (~0.3 psu) on community structure. The main structuring factors of the community in the deeper outer part of the lagoon were water temperature and depth, and in the innermost part, where a Ruppia maritima meadow occurred, were water temperature and predation pressure by crabs ( Carcinus aestuarii ) and gobies ( Knipowitchia caucasica ). A temporary decline in total abundance in summer followed an increase in abundance of these predators. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)