Species Diversity and Ecological Characteristics of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Intertidal Zone of Satun Province, Thailand and the First Record of Petersenaspis sp.

Abstract

The aims of this research were to investigate diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and their ecological characteristics in intertidal zone of Pak Bara and Pak Bang beaches,Thailand during 2012-2013. Sediment and water samples were collected and measured seasonally from nine stations. In comparison, both beaches were mostly similar in water and sediment qualities excepting organic matter content and sediment particle sizes. All beaches had moderate species diversity. The major components of benthic macroinvertebrates were polychaetes, molluscs and crustaceans. Principal component analysis showed that water temperature, sediment particle sizes, and nitrate in sediment were important factors to biodiversity index, whereas water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity and nitrate in sediment were related to biodiversity of polychaete. The results of benthic macroinvertebrate composition showed that Dendronereis arborifera and Dotilla intermedia distinguished the two beaches. Sternaspis andamanensis had wider habitats, while Petersenaspis sp. was found only in Pak Bara beach and it was the first record in Thailand.

Abundance and Diversity of Polychaete Worms in Kapuas Estuary, West Kalimantan

“…This family is commonly found in muddy and sandy substrates at various water depths, although it can also be found in waters with coarse sand substrates (Drennan et al, 2019). The distribution of this family is wide luas (Zhadan et al, 2017), and they are known as deposit feeders (Tantikamton et al, 2015), with their branchiae positioned on the sediment surface to facilitate oxygen exchange for the body.…”

Three new species of Sternaspidae (Annelida: Sedentaria) from Thailand

“…Two sternaspid species, Petersenaspis sp. and S. andamanensis, were reported by Tantikamton et al (2015) from mudflats in Pak Bara, Satun Province, on the southern Andaman coast of Thailand. Rodcharoen (2009) studied the macrobenthos from the inshore island of Ko Nu, in the Gulf of Thailand off Songkhla Province, and reported S. scutata Ranzani, 1817, a species formerly regarded as cosmopolitan.…”