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Zoobenthos associated with the invasive red alga Womersleyella setacea (Rhodomelacea) in the northern Aegean Sea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2007

Chryssanthi Antoniadou
Affiliation:
Aristotle University, School of Biology, Department of Zoology, PO Box 134, Gr-540 06 Thessaloniki, Greece
Chariton Chintiroglou
Affiliation:
Aristotle University, School of Biology, Department of Zoology, PO Box 134, Gr-540 06 Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract

The spatial and temporal structure of the zoobenthos associated with the invasive red alga Womersleyellasetacea was studied in the northern Aegean Sea, Greece. Five replicate quadrats (20×20 cm) were collected,seasonally from July 1997 to August 1998, by SCUBA diving at four sites and two depth levels (15 and 30 m)in the Chalkidiki peninsula. We collected 23,090 specimens representing 278 animal species. Multivariateanalysis showed mainly spatial differences in community structure, while the temporal ones wereminimal. The ordination of sites showed a clear zonation pattern according to the different algal formsthat cover the rocky substrate, with inclination the only environmental factor involved. The epifauna associatedwith the invasive alga was differently structured compared with three native seaweeds, showingincreased species richness and abundance. The filamentous alga W. setacea was dominant in all seasonsand depth levels, creating a stable habitat that contributed to the loss of seasonality in zoobenthiccommunity structure.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2007 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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