Temporal variation of the gammaridean fauna (Crustacea, Amphipoda) associated with the sponge Mycale angulosa (Porifera, Demospongiae) in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Marine sponges are advantageous microhabitats because of their complex architecture. The system of internal canals provides circulation of water and deposition of particulate organic matter, ensuring availability of food and shelter. Diminutive amphipods have little difficulty penetrating the spaces of sponges and remain in their aquiferous systems as one of the most abundant taxa in this association. This study evaluated the temporal variation of the gammaridean amphipod species associated with the sponge Mycale angulosa. Sponge samples were collected every three months over one year at Pontal da Cruz Beach, São Sebastião Channel, southeastern Brazil. The amphipod assembly varied over time, while the amphipod density and sponge biomass remained approximately constant. Six species contributed to the temporal variation infaunal composition, highlighting the importance of the natural history of each species.

Comparative efficiency of Mytilus edulis as engineering species for shallow-water fouling communities on artificial structures in the White Sea

“…The composition and quantitative characteristics of the associated fauna are influenced by interannual (Khalaman & Naumov, 2009; Naumov et al ., 2009; Khalaman, 2013) and seasonal (Tokeshi, 1995; Adami et al ., 2004; Costa et al ., 2015; Dias et al ., 2015) fluctuations in the number of species comprising this fauna and by the population state of the engineering species, in particular, the ageing process of the population (Tsuchia & Nishihira, 1985, 1986; Khalaman, 1989; Günther, 1996; Büttger et al ., 2008).…”