Macrozoobenthic community structure in a poikilohaline Mediterranean lagoon (Laki Lagoon, northern Aegean)

Abstract

The community structure of the macrobenthic fauna was studied in the overall area of Laki Lagoon in September 1997 (salinity 32-35 psu) and monthly from

Abundance and diversity of amphipods (Crustacea: Peracarida) on shallow algae and seagrass in lagoonal ecosystem of the Mediterranean Tunisian coast

“…These results agree with studies on distribution patterns for other crustaceans in relation to the temperature and salinity of the water, which are considered extremely important for a better understanding of the dynamics of these species (Pinheiro 1991). Variations in temperature and salinity have been cited by a number of authors as important factors for the occurrence of particular amphipod species (Nevis et al 2009;Mogias and Kevrekidis 2005). In fact, many ecological studies have shown salinity to be the main factor controlling zonation in the structure of the benthic communities (Cacabelos et al 2010).…”

“…M. gryllotalpa was typically a lagoonal species. Compared to Diawara et al (2008), the number of amphipod species herein recorded is lower than that found in the Tunis north lagoon; however, a relatively high number of amphipod species are found in the coastal lagoon of Smir (northwest of Morocco) by Chaouti andBayed (2011), by Cherkoui et al (2003) in the Bou Regreg estuary Moroccan Atlantic coast, and by Mogias and Kevrekidis (2005) in the Laki lagoon (Northern Aegean).…”

Spatio-temporal variability of benthic macrofauna in a coastal lagoon assessed by ecological interaction networks

“…Moreover, their number of nodes-species was high (12-14) as well. This pattern may be infl uenced by the neighboring of station ST3 with the sea and its direct connection during winter and spring where new species enter the lagoon (Koutsoubas et al 2000a, Mogias andKevrekidis 2005).…”

“…Their economic value is also substantial as they are considered as suitable habitats for aquaculture and fisheries (Rogdakis et al 2010). However, these activities often result in ecosystem degradation due to accumulation of pollutants, degradation of water quality, and increase of organic matter triggering eutrophication and dystrophic episodes (Lacerda 1994, Spaulding 1994, Mogias and Kevrekidis 2005.…”

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“…Sediment load of rivers has also been blamed for the low abundance of macrobenthos in the northern creeks of Bushehr (Mirdar et al, 2009) and other parts of the world (Dittmann, 2000;Spruzen et al, 2008). Moreover, the macrobenthic assemblage in Farakeh was characterized by a higher abundance of some brackish water species, namely brackish oligochaetes, which was similar to Mogias and Kevrekidis (2005). The high abundance in the Shif creek, probably due to the weak water currents as well as being assigned as a preserved area, was indicative of healthy benthic community and constant environment (suitable habitat in terms of sediment and water).…”