Microhabitat variability of macrobenthic organisms within tidal creek systems
In: Hydrobiologia. Springer: The Hague. ISSN 0018-8158; e-ISSN 1573-5117, more
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| Keywords |
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| Author keywords |
Oligochaete; Polychaete; Microhabitat; Macrobenthic community; Tidalcreek; Exposure |
| Abstract |
Tidal creeks are transitional habitats between fresh and salt water with large spatial heterogeneity. As a result there are most likely various microhabitats at different spatial scales. This study attempted to determine at what scales the macrobenthic communities in tidal creeks differ. Samples were collected in headwater, intertidally dominated areas and downstream, subtidally dominated areas of tidal creek habitats at three exposure levels. Samples were analyzed to determine distributions of dominant higher taxa of annelids, crustaceans, and mollusks with particular interest to two dominant species: the oligochaete Monopylephorus rubroniveus (Levinsen) and the polychaete Streblospio benedicti (Webster). Finally, family diversity, evenness, and community composition were examined. While M. rubroniveus was primarily found in intertidal exposures in the headwaters, S. benedicti was found throughout all of the creek lengths and exposure levels. Communities in the marsh appeared to be similar throughout the length of the creek. Communities in the intertidal and subtidal exposure levels differed between the headwaters and downstream areas and between each other in the headwaters. PERMANOVA found communities to differ among all exposure levels and orders. Thus, it is important to take into account both longitudinal position and microhabitat when sampling these communities. |
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