Macrobenthic community of an estuarine tidal flat on the Amazon coast: spatial variations and presence of polychaetes tubes

Abstract

The present study characterized the macrobenthic fauna found on a muddy-sandy tidal flat of the Amazon coast in areas with and without the presence of Diopatra cuprea (Bosc, 1802) (Onuphidae: Annelida) tubes. In addition, a brief review of records of D. cuprea on the Brazilian Amazon coast is presented. Samples were collected in February 2014 in two different areas: (1) an area in which D. cuprea tubes were present, and (2) a control area, in which worm tubes were absent. A total of 21 taxa were found, of which 10 were associated exclusively with D. cuprea tubes. Although richness did not vary significantly among areas, there were changes in the abundance and composition of species and trophic guilds. In the area with tubes, there was a higher abundance of filter-feeders and the presence of species adapted to consolidated and muddy substrates. Our results and those of other studies indicate that D. cuprea commonly presents low density in the Amazon coastal, and its tubes are typically scattered widely in the intertidal zone. The present findings add knowledge about the presence of the bioconstructor in coastal areas and reinforce the role of tube-building polychaetes as ecosystem engineers.

The Fall and Rise of <em>Diopatra</em> In The Brazilian Coast

“…While the current distribution, which is in the short latitudinal range of 22.8 to 27.7 o S, the habitat suitability for the establishment of the species is much higher, ranging from 9 to almost 30 o S. This suggests that, in relation to current conditions mainly of salinity and temperature (air and water), the species could increase its distribution, especially northward, wherever sandy beaches and tidal flats occur. The range is the same of intertidal species of D. cuprea complex, except for the Amazon River mouth (around 0-1 o S) where patches of D. cuprea were reported [24], but it seems to be not a suitable habitat for D. neapolitana, mainly due to lower salinity (Figure S3). Likewise, the medium suitability areas within high suitability areas between 10 o S and 21 o S, for instance are located close to two river mouths (Doce and São Francisco rivers).…”

“…Even though Diopatra spp. from D. cuprea complex were distributed throughout the Brazilian coast from the extreme south (32°S) [13] to the northern Amazonian coast (1°S) [24], populational information was restricted to the Southeastern Brazilian Bight (SBB, Figure 1). SBB is an area of biogeographical concern because it is a transitional zone where several closely-related intertidal polychaete species have distribution overlap, including Diopatra [25,13].…”

Effects of vehicle traffic and trampling on the macrobenthic community of Amazonian macrotidal sandy beaches

“…The macrobenthic fauna of the present study was dominated by polychaetes. The dominance of polychaetes is a general pattern in intertidal habitats of the Amazonian coast (Rosa Filho et al ., 2006, 2009, 2011; Beasley et al ., 2010; Braga et al ., 2011, 2013; Morais & Lee, 2013; Santos & Aviz, 2018, 2020, 2021; Santos et al ., 2020, 2021 b , 2021). Thus, the impact of recreational activities in this study was mainly evidenced by changes in density and taxonomic composition of Polychaeta assemblages.…”