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Trophic structure of soft-bottom macrobenthos in an inlet in north-western Spain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 May 2009

Eva Cacabelos ,
Marta Domínguez  and
Jesús S. Troncoso
Eva Cacabelos*
Affiliation:
Área de Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Lagoas-Marcosende, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
Marta Domínguez
Affiliation:
Área de Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Lagoas-Marcosende, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
Jesús S. Troncoso
Affiliation:
Área de Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Lagoas-Marcosende, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: E. Cacabelos, Área de Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Lagoas-Marcosende, Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain email: cacabelos@uvigo.es
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Abstract

The trophic composition of macrobenthic communities in intertidal and subtidal soft-bottoms of the Ensenada de San Simón (north-western Spain) was found to be related to a number of environmental variables. Distribution and abundance of trophic groups have been studied, to provide essential baseline information for monitoring the area, after its designation as a Natura 2000 Special Conservation Zone. Analyses of trophic data showed a numerical predominance of the herbivores in the inner part of the inlet, while sites at the oceanic-influenced area were numerically dominated by surface-deposit feeders. These dominances were mainly due to Hydrobia ulvae in the intertidal area and to polychaetes at the subtidal one. Both univariate and multivariate statistical analyses showed that the sediment composition (organic matter and silt–clay contents) and temperature of the bottom water influenced the benthic macrofauna and were correlated with their trophic composition, abundance and distribution.

Keywords

trophic structuresoft bottomsbenthosmacrofaunaestuary
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 89 , Issue 3 , May 2009 , pp. 439 - 447
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

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