engleski

Diversity of macrofauna associated with Corallina officinalis in southern Istrian peninsula

Red coralligenous algae Corallina officinalis provides shelter to many macrofaunal species from wave actions, predation and desiccation stress in the intertidal area. Physical structure and complexity of the habitat as well as anthropogenic influence have a major influence on biodiversity of this community. The aim of the study was to examine the diversity of macrofaunal assemblages inside the red algae C. officinalis turf. Prior to choosing sampling locations, mapping of C. officinalis along the southern Istrian coast was done. Mapping was performed during low tides by visual observation of the intertidal area where the presence and abundance of the algae were marked. Three sampling locations were chosen in the areas with algal cover range above 75%. On each location sampling was done quantitatively by scraping off within 3 replicate quadrats 20 x 20 cm in size. A total of 30.786 specimens were isolated from all sampling locations. The prevalent groups were amphipod crustaceans, polychaetes, bivalves and gastropods that made a total of 86% of all macrofaunal groups associated with algal turfs. The most abundant group were amphipods that made 41% of the total separated individual invertebrates. Future studies will examine how the anthropogenic influence is affecting macrobenthic communities associated with C. officinalis as it is a very important habitat with high abundance and diversity of macrofaunal assemblages.

macrofauna ; Corallina officinalis ; mapping ; biodiversity ; Istrian coast

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