Journal
IHERINGIA SERIE ZOOLOGIA
Volume 97, Issue 3, Pages 257-262Publisher
FUNDACAO ZOOBOTANICA RIO GRANDE SUL, MUSEU CIENCIAS NATURAIS
DOI: 10.1590/S0073-47212007000300007
Keywords
seasonal variability; benthos; estuary; abiotic variables; sublittoral habitats
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The aim of this study is to analyze and relate the spatial-temporal variability of macrozoobenthic assemblages to bottom characteristics and salinity fluctuations, in an estuarine shallow water region of Patos Lagoon. Monthly samples, between September 2002 and August 2003, were taken on six sampling stations (distant 90 m). Three biological samples with a 10 cm diameter corer, one sample for sediment analysis, fortnightly bottom topography measurements, and daily data of temperature and salinity were taken from each station. Two biotic and environmental conditions were identified: the first corresponding to spring and summer months, with low macrozoobenthos densities, low values of salinity, small variations in bottom topographic level and weak hydrodynamic activity. A second situation occurred in the months of fall and winter, which showed increased salinity, hydrodynamics and macrobenthos organisms. These results which contrast with previous studies carried out in the area, were attributed to failure in macrozoobenthos recruitments during summer period, especially of the bivalve Erodona mactroides Bosc, 1802 and the tanaid Kalliapseuses schubartii Ma (n) over tildee-Garzon, 1949. This results showed that recruitments of dominant species were influenced by salinity and hydrodynamic conditions.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available