Abundance, Distribution, and Diversity of Intertidal Macro-Algal Associated with Amphipods in the Red Sea, Egypt

Abstract

Amphipods are small aquatic herbivores feeding on seagrasses, macroalgae and small zooplanktons, which can alter the population dynamics of their hosts and the structure of benthic assemblages (Poore et al., 2008). They are among the most common species associated with many benthic marine habitats (Lörz, 2001). In addition, they are associated with different benthic habitat like seagrass, sponges, algae, corals, soft bottom and rocky substrates. They are classified as one of the most diverse crustacean taxa (Marques & Bellan-Santini, 1990). Moreover, amphipods play an important role in the aquatic food chain, particularly for some fish species as live food such as Lutjanidae, snappers and pinfish as well as invertebrates such as shrimp (Sudo & Azeta, 1996).