Diel and seasonal variation of a molluscan taxocoenosis associated with a Zostera marina bed in southern Spain (Alboran Sea)

Rueda, José L.; Urra, Javier; Salas, Carmen

doi:10.1007/s10152-008-0111-1

Cited by 26 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…beds, which did not show significant variation between the two seasons. This may be related to biotic factors, such as a higher recruitment rate during this period, as suggested by other studies on macrophyte-associated gastropod assemblages (Leite & Turra, 2003; Arroyo et al ., 2006; Rueda et al ., 2008), and reinforced here by a high presence of juveniles in this period (Longo, personal observation).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

The highly diverse gastropod assemblages associated with Sargassum spp. (Phaeophyceae: Fucales) habitats

et al. 2019

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Macrophytes provide a habitat for many species of marine invertebrates, the gastropods being one of the main components. This study provides new information about Sargassum-associated gastropod biodiversity, through characterization of the fauna from a highly impacted area of Brazil, investigating its variation at a small spatial scale and between two main seasons of the year, as well as its relationship with macroalgae parameters. Density of gastropods was higher during the warmest season and varied throughout sampling sites. A significant and positive, however weak, relationship between gastropod density and Sargassum dry weight was found in all localities. For all sites, a marked and unusual dominance of Bittiolum varium was observed. The high dominance of this species seems to be related to the impacts caused by shipping activities and highway construction in the 1970s and 1980s, which caused a decline in local species diversity that seems to have continued until now. Many species, both typical of these habitats and characteristic of other, nearby habitats, benefit from Sargassum sp. These macrophytes allow gastropods to establish and grow during their most vulnerable stages, as shown by the growth series and juvenile forms found for most species of gastropods. The present data highlight the importance of macrophyte habitats for gastropod biodiversity in coastal areas and call attention to the importance of raising knowledge on this fauna, especially in impacted areas, thus contributing to the conservation of these highly diverse and ecologically important macrophyte–gastropod systems.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

The highly diverse gastropod assemblages associated with Sargassum spp. (Phaeophyceae: Fucales) habitats

et al. 2019

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“…Because trawl surveying is one of the commonest methods of sampling in marine waters [429] , and is one of the most used in the Mediterranean Sea, future biodiversity studies should correct for the practice of sampling only during daytime. In addition, observations of important diel variation in the fauna associated with seagrasses include a notable increase of species richness and abundance in nighttime samples [430] , [431] . This issue brings together the problem of biodiversity and climate change due to expected changes in species migrations and rhythmicity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: Estimates, Patterns, and Threats

et al. 2010

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The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hot spot. Here we combined an extensive literature analysis with expert opinions to update publicly available estimates of major taxa in this marine ecosystem and to revise and update several species lists. We also assessed overall spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity and identified major changes and threats. Our results listed approximately 17,000 marine species occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. However, our estimates of marine diversity are still incomplete as yet—undescribed species will be added in the future. Diversity for microbes is substantially underestimated, and the deep-sea areas and portions of the southern and eastern region are still poorly known. In addition, the invasion of alien species is a crucial factor that will continue to change the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, mainly in its eastern basin that can spread rapidly northwards and westwards due to the warming of the Mediterranean Sea. Spatial patterns showed a general decrease in biodiversity from northwestern to southeastern regions following a gradient of production, with some exceptions and caution due to gaps in our knowledge of the biota along the southern and eastern rims. Biodiversity was also generally higher in coastal areas and continental shelves, and decreases with depth. Temporal trends indicated that overexploitation and habitat loss have been the main human drivers of historical changes in biodiversity. At present, habitat loss and degradation, followed by fishing impacts, pollution, climate change, eutrophication, and the establishment of alien species are the most important threats and affect the greatest number of taxonomic groups. All these impacts are expected to grow in importance in the future, especially climate change and habitat degradation. The spatial identification of hot spots highlighted the ecological importance of most of the western Mediterranean shelves (and in particular, the Strait of Gibraltar and the adjacent Alboran Sea), western African coast, the Adriatic, and the Aegean Sea, which show high concentrations of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species. The Levantine Basin, severely impacted by the invasion of species, is endangered as well.This abstract has been translated to other languages (File S1).

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“…Studies on the temporal dynamics and diel variation of the molluscan assemblages associated with these Z. marina beds were carried out before the decline experienced during 2005–2006 (Arroyo et al , 2006; Rueda & Salas, 2008; Rueda et al , 2008c), and no further information on the associated assemblages has been given after the decline.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the composition and structure of a molluscan assemblage due to eelgrass loss in southern Spain (Alboran Sea)

et al. 2009

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The composition and structure of a molluscan assemblage was studied in a deep subtidal eelgrass bed located in southern Spain before and after the eelgrass decline experienced during 2005 and 2006 due to illegal trawling by fishermen. Sampling was undertaken in summer 2004 (with eelgrass) and summer 2007 (without eelgrass) in an extensive eelgrass bed located in Cañuelo Bay (12–14 m depth) and in the same area once the eelgrass bed disappeared. Eelgrass was completely absent in those samples of summer 2007 and an increase of the organic content and mud was registered in the sediment between 2004 and 2007. The density and the richness of molluscan species decreased significantly in summer 2007, especially for epifaunal gastropods associated with the leaf and sediment stratum. Some species disappeared completely in summer 2007 such as the dominant periphyton grazersJujubinus striatusandRissoaspp., the egg feederMitrella minorand the seagrass feederSmaragdia viridisas well as the infaunal bivalveSolemya togata. Other species increased their densities such as the carnivoresCylichna crosseiorC. cylindraceaas well as the bivalveNucula nitidosa. Some dominant infaunal species, such asChamelea gallina, Spisula subtruncataorTellina fabuladid not significantly change their densities. The composition and structure of the assemblages in summer 2004 and summer 2007 was significantly different according to the Bray–Curtis similarity index using qualitative and quantitative data and considering the entire assemblage (epifaunal and infaunal species) or only the infaunal species. The registered changes in the molluscan assemblage may have produced cascade effects in higher trophic levels because molluscs generally represent an important food source for some decapods and fish. Urgent conservation measures are needed for protecting the remaining fragmented eelgrass beds of southern Spain from further illegal fisheries activities and other types of human impacts (e.g. sand extraction and coastal infrastructures), because they support the most diverse faunistic communities for eelgrass beds in Europe due to their bathymetry and geographical location.

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Diel and seasonal variation of a molluscan taxocoenosis associated with a Zostera marina bed in southern Spain (Alboran Sea)

Cited by 26 publications

References 55 publications

The highly diverse gastropod assemblages associated with Sargassum spp. (Phaeophyceae: Fucales) habitats

The highly diverse gastropod assemblages associated with Sargassum spp. (Phaeophyceae: Fucales) habitats

The Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: Estimates, Patterns, and Threats

Changes in the composition and structure of a molluscan assemblage due to eelgrass loss in southern Spain (Alboran Sea)

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