Seasonal and Spatial Variability of the Community and Trophic Structure of the Benthic Macrofauna within Tunisian Lagoonal and Marine Coastal Areas (Southwestern Mediterranean)

Afli, Ahmed; Chakroun, R.; Ayari, Rakia; Aïssa, Patricia

doi:10.2112/08-1078.1

Cited by 19 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The benthic community in the Kneiss Islands seems to be characterized by a structure and organization closely similar to ecosystems in other parts of the Mediterranean, dominated mainly by crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes, cnidarians and echinoderms. This pattern has also been observed in other Mediterranean coastal sites, such as in the Kerkennah Islands [54], the Bay of Tunis, Ghar El-Melh Lagoon, the Tunis lagoon [55] [59]. However, it is well known that seagrasses increase habitat complexity and provide living space and shelter for a diverse animal community [60]- [62].…”

Section: Comparison With Other Zostera Noltei Bedssupporting

confidence: 66%

Spatial and Temporal Structures of the Macrozoobenthos from the Intertidal Zone of the Kneiss Islands (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Mosbahi¹,

Pezy²,

Dauvin³

et al. 2016

OJMS

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The present study analyses the spatio-temporal variability of the macrozoobenthos from the intertidal zone of the Kneiss Islands (Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia). Samples were collected once from 34 stations, while seasonal variations were studied by sampling four times at 12 stations over the period 2013-2014. A total of 159 macrobenthos taxa associated with intertidal Zostera noltei beds are identified from the 34 stations, with a taxonomic dominance of crustaceans (32%), molluscs (29%) and annelids (27%). Abundance varies from 9244 to 36,844 ind·m −2 with a mean value of 14,346 ind·m −2 . Analysis of the trophic structure shows that the majority of stations are strongly represented by carnivores (41%), followed by the non-selective deposit feeders (16%). Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling allow identification of three main benthic assemblages based on species abundance, corresponding to different sediment types and organic matter contents. The seasonal variability in abundance, diversity and community structure is mainly due to spring and summer recruitment. The biotic indices (i.e. AMBI, BO2A and BENTIX) show that the intertidal area of Kneiss Islands exhibits a good ecological status.

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Section: Comparison With Other Zostera Noltei Bedssupporting

confidence: 66%

Spatial and Temporal Structures of the Macrozoobenthos from the Intertidal Zone of the Kneiss Islands (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Mosbahi¹,

Pezy²,

Dauvin³

et al. 2016

OJMS

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“…Contrariwise, stations sheltered from currents (stations 9, 10, 11 and 12) show a relatively moderate decrease. Thus, the abundance and species richness in 2013 was clearly lower compared to several other Mediterranean lagoons such as the lagoon of Bizerte (Afli et al 2008b), the lagoon of Ghar El�Melh, the southern lagoon of Tunis (Afli et al 2009b) and the lagoon of Smir (Chaouti and Bayed 2005). Contrary to the species richness and abundance, the Shannon index (H') and evenness (J') show a significant overall increase which means that the community in 2013 was less dominated by a small number of species as in 2010.…”

Section: Macro-benthic Communitymentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Indeed, in 2013 the stations are not scattered as in 2010, which means that there is a general homogenization of the ecosystem conditions and the benthic community. Nevertheless, the lagoon of Boughrara seems to be more balanced trophically, especially in 2013, compared with the other Mediterranean lagoons, as the lagoon of Bizerte dominated widely by carnivores (Afli et al 2008a), the southern lagoon of Tunis dominated by micrograzers, the lagoon of Ghar El-Melh dominated by selective deposit feeders (Afli et al 2009b) and the lagoon of Smir dominated by detritus feeders (Chaouti and Bayed 2011).…”

Section: Macro-benthic Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Does increased connectivity with the Mediterranean Sea improve the ecological status of the macroinvertebrates in the lagoon of Boughrara (SW Mediterranean)?

Khedhri¹,

Djabou²,

Afli³

2016

Community Ecology

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Abstract:The lagoon of Boughrara is an almost closed system, with limited hydrological connections with the sea. Over the past several decades, the lagoon has been exposed to increased pollution due to growing human activities in the surrounding area. From 2004From -2007, the channel "El-Kantra" connecting the lagoon to the sea has been extended with increased mixing with marine waters. In this work, we monitored the ecosystem of the lagoon after its rapid exposure to development and associated pollution. Two marine surveys were carried out in winter 2010 and then in winter 2013; the sediment was sampled and the principal physical and chemical parameters were measured at 13 stations. Results show that aspects of the environmental quality of the lagoon have improved from 2010 to 2013, most likely due to the extension of the channel whereby lagoon waters are better mixed resulting in improved physico-chemical conditions over this timeframe. Nevertheless, the study of the macrobenthic community did not show any improvement. On the contrary, the species richness and the abundance of the macrofauna have decreased, and some tolerant species such as bivalves (Abra alba and Cerastoderma edule) have increased in abundance. This demonstrates continued impacts on the lagoon ecosystem.

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“…This station showed high abundance of gastropods and a lower abundance of cephalopods and polyplacophores. Such an observation is probably due to the adaptative behavior of an euryhalin and eurytherm marine biocenosis where physico-chemical parameters may affect the exclusion of some species compared to others leading to the selection of one trophic group in one particular area (Afli et al, 2008(Afli et al, , 2009b.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Elgharsalli¹,

Rabaoui²,

Aloui-Béjaoui³

2015

Turk. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

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Hammamet Marina is the most important touristic port in the Gulf of Hammamet (Tunisia). The present work is a contribution to the knowledge of the functional diversity and structure of the malacofauna community in this area. Three different stations (A, B and C) within the port were sampled seasonally for a year (2005)(2006). The mollusc assemblage studied was represented by 14 species (in totally 2669 ind. were found). Among the four mollusc classes recorded, bivalves were the best represented (73.76% of the total number species), followed by gastropods (22.02%), cephalopods (2.42%) and polyplacophores (1.80%). Atlanto-Mediterranean (42.85%) and Endemic Mediterranean (39.28%) taxa prevailed in the community, followed by Indo-Pacific (7.14%) and cosmopolitan species (3.57%). A clear spatial zonation was distinguished. The station B hosted the highest abundance of gastropods (309±19.92 ind. m -2 ) and a species richness of 6±0.40. The station station A hosted the most equilibrated trophic structure, with a higher bivalve abundance (1378±99.23 ind. m -2) and a species richness of 6±0.1. Station C, located close to the mooring boats, presented the lowest abundance (230±17.47 individuals m -2 ) and the most affected assemblage. This station seemed to be affected by the higher anthropogenic pressure assessed compared to the other two stations, mainly oil pollution, due to the large quantities of hydrocarbon discharged from the boats.

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Seasonal and Spatial Variability of the Community and Trophic Structure of the Benthic Macrofauna within Tunisian Lagoonal and Marine Coastal Areas (Southwestern Mediterranean)

Cited by 19 publications

References 36 publications

Spatial and Temporal Structures of the Macrozoobenthos from the Intertidal Zone of the Kneiss Islands (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Spatial and Temporal Structures of the Macrozoobenthos from the Intertidal Zone of the Kneiss Islands (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Does increased connectivity with the Mediterranean Sea improve the ecological status of the macroinvertebrates in the lagoon of Boughrara (SW Mediterranean)?

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