Drivers of variation in seagrass-associated amphipods across biogeographical areas

Amphipods are one of the dominant epifaunal groups in seagrass meadows. However, our understanding of the biogeographical patterns in the distribution of these small crustaceans is limited. In this study, we investigated such patterns and the potential drivers in twelve Cymodocea nodosa meadows within four distinctive biogeo-graphical areas across 2000 Km and 13 degrees of latitude in two ocean basins (Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean). We found that species abundances in the assemblage of seagrass-associated amphipods differed among areas following a pattern largely explained by seagrass leaf area and epiphyte biomass, while the variation pattern in species presence/absence was determined by seagrass density and epiphyte biomass. Seagrass leaf area was also the most important determinant of greater amphipod total density and species richness, while amphipod density also increased with algal cover. Overall, our results evidenced that biogeographical patterns of variation in amphipod assemblages are mainly influenced by components of the habitat structure, which covary with envi-ronmental conditions, finding that structurally more complex meadows harboring higher abundance and rich-ness of amphipods associated.

Automated summary

In this study, the biogeographical patterns and potential drivers of amphipod distribution in seagrass meadows were investigated. The results showed that species abundances were influenced by seagrass leaf area and epiphyte biomass, while the variation in species presence/absence was determined by seagrass density and epiphyte biomass. Seagrass leaf area was also found to be the most important determinant of amphipod density and species richness.