Harpacticoida (Crustacea, Copepoda) of Mussel Beds and Macroalgae on the Rocky Substrates in the North-Western Black Sea

Abstract

Harpacticoida (Crustacea, Copepoda) of Mussel Beds and Macroalgae on the Rocky Substrates in theNorth-Western Black Sea. Portianko, V. V. -Th e role of harpacticoid copepods in total abundance, biomass and species diversity of meiobenthos on rocky substrates is described. Th e fauna of harpacticoid copepods consists of 19 species in algal beds, 23 species in mussel beds and 24 species in mixed aggregation of molluscs and macrophytes. In the macrophyte aggregation, the maximal abundance was registered in Cladophora vagabunda -88 750 ind. × m According to the frequency of occurrence, the habitat preferred by copepods was Ceramium elegans, but according to their percentage in total meiobenthos among macrophytes it was Ulva intestinalis, 56.6 %. Th e percentage of copepods in the pure mussel beds was higher comparing to mixed aggregation of molluscs and macrophytes.

Meiofaunal Biodiversity in a Marine Protected Area: a Case Study in the Rocky and Sedimentary Shores of the Snake Island (North-Western Black Sea)

“…As a result of our preliminary study in the Snake Island MPA, a first comparative analysis of the meiobenthos assemblages in the different habitat types (MB142, MB143 and MB542 according to the EU Habitats Directive classification) was provided. Previous studies of the meiobenthos in the near rocky-shore waters of Snake Island focused on the main meiobenthos taxa with the detailed comparison of density and biomass formed on the different algal substrates and on certain taxonomic groups Portianko, 2017;Vorobyova et al, 2019;Uzun, 2022). The higher density and biomass of the total meiobenthos taxa were registered in the MB142 and MB143 habitats of the Snake Island MPA, while the lowest values of these indices were observed in the MB542 habitat.…”

“…They can colonize all types of habitats, both natural and artificial substrates, including plastic marine debris Snigirova et al, 2020;Snigirova et al 2022;Uzun & Portianko, 2021). However, recent data on the meiobenthos community in the nearshore waters of Snake Island are fragmentary Portianko, 2017;Vorobyova et al, 2017;Uzun, 2022). Thus, the aim of this research is a preliminary comparative analysis of meiobenthos taxa assemblages of different habitats in the nearshore marine protected area of Snake Island.…”

“…In the NWBS, the quantitative characteristics of meiobenthos taxa are well studied (Vorobyova et al, 2008;2017;Vorobyova & Kulakova, 2009). They can colonize all types of habitats, both natural and artificial substrates, including plastic marine debris Snigirova et al, 2020;Snigirova et al 2022;Uzun & Portianko, 2021).…”

Ostracodes (Crustacea, Ostracoda) in the Rocky Nearshore Water Area of Zmiiniy Island (Black Sea)

“…Th e recent data on meiobenthos community in Zmiiniy Island coastal waters are relatively poor Portianko, 2017;Vorobyova et al, 2019). In the preliminary studies, concerning quantitative characteristics of the meiobenthic organism at the diff erent type of substrates in Zmiiniy Island water area, the high ostracode density was shown (Vorobyova et al, 2019).…”