High Species Richness of Decapod Crustaceans on an Urban Rocky Shore Beach

The rocky intertidal shore of La Caleta, an urban beach located in Cadiz (SW Spain), was surveyed for decapod crustaceans over a year. Samplings were taken monthly (March 2015 to February 2016) in three differentiated zones during the spring low tides of every month at five sites, differentiated according to the hydrodynamic regimes and intertidal levels. A qualitative sampling (present/absent) was carried out by visual identification (minimally invasive), and only those specimens with uncertain identification were collected by hand, studied at the laboratory, or identified using their DNA barcode. A total of 44 species were identified. Comparison with species richness of decapod crustaceans in other Atlantic and Mediterranean intertidal or subtidal ecosystems (including protected areas) shows higher values in La Caleta, a surprising fact considering the type of habitat and its placement (an urban and unprotected shore).

Automated summary

The decapod crustaceans in the rocky intertidal shore of La Caleta, an urban beach in Cadiz, Spain, were surveyed for one year. Monthly samplings were conducted in three different zones at five sites during the spring low tides. Species were identified through qualitative visual identification and DNA barcode. A total of 44 species were identified, which was higher compared to other Atlantic and Mediterranean intertidal or subtidal ecosystems.