The role of isolation and dispersal in explaining regional diversity patterns: a case-study with harpacticoid copepods in tropical seagrass beds
Geerinckx, T. (2002). The role of isolation and dispersal in explaining regional diversity patterns: a case-study with harpacticoid copepods in tropical seagrass beds. MSc Thesis. MareLac: Ghent. 35 pp.
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Documenttype: Doctoraat/Thesis/Eindwerk
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| Abstract |
Investigation on meiofauna, and, more specifically, harpacticoid copepods in tropical seagrass beds can be used to understand better the concepts of isolation, islandisation and habitat fragmentation, important notions in modern nature conservation. Double sets of triplicate samples were taken in seagrass beds in Gazi Bay (Southeast Kenya) and on Zanzibar Island (Tanzania). Meiofauna taxa (size range between 38 µm and 1 mm) were counted, and harpacticoid copepods were identified to species level. Statistical analysis (including correspondence analysis and Hill indices) was applied, revealing differences in community composition and diversity on spatial levels within and between habitats (alpha resp. beta diversity) in both Kenya and Zanzibar, as well as between the two sites (gamma diversity). All factors possibly causing these differences are discussed. No clear conclusion can be drawn though relating the findings to modern island biogeography theories. |
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- Harpacticoid copepods in tropical seagrass beds of Gazi Bay (Kenya) and Mbweni (Zanzibar) sampled in July and August 1996, meer
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