Temporal variation in peracarid assemblages inhabiting Caulerpa racemosa in two Brazilian rocky shores

Frondose macroalgae usually harbors a diverse epifaunal community, whereas sediment among the fronds tends to decrease species richness and diversity. The macroalga Caulerpa racemosa is found in shallow waters and can trap sediment among its stolons. We investigated how the peracarid assemblages fro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biodiversity 2019-06, Vol.49 (3), p.1253-1260
Main Authors: Ferreira, D. R. J., Dena-Silva, S. A., Güth, A. Z., Bueno, M., Leite, F. P. P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Aquatic plants
Biodiversity
Biomass
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Caulerpa racemosa
Clumps
Detritivores
Feeding habits
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Habitats
Harbors
Influence
Life Sciences
Lifestyles
Organic matter
Original Paper
Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Rocky shores
Seaweeds
Sediment
Sedimentation & deposition
Sediments
Shallow water
Shores
Species diversity
Species richness
Temporal variations
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Summary:Frondose macroalgae usually harbors a diverse epifaunal community, whereas sediment among the fronds tends to decrease species richness and diversity. The macroalga Caulerpa racemosa is found in shallow waters and can trap sediment among its stolons. We investigated how the peracarid assemblages from two shores in southeastern Brazil are related to temporal changes in the algal biomass, sediment quantity trapped in C. racemosa patches, and organic matter content from adjacent areas. On both shores, there was no significant difference in the algal biomass through time. Algal clumps from Fortaleza retained at least four times more sediment than from Cigarras, and similar temporal trends of sediment retention were observed at both shores. Overall, 47 species of peracarids were identified. Assemblages from Cigarras were richer and more diverse but remained constant through time. Assemblages from Fortaleza had variation in peracarid species and feeding habits through time, with omnivorous and detritivorous species dominating periods of high loads of sediment. While the presence of sediment seems to negatively affect the abundance and diversity of the epifaunal assemblage, it may favor the presence of detritivores, and tube-building species.
ISSN:1867-1616
1867-1624
DOI:10.1007/s12526-018-0909-2