Drivers of variation in seagrass-associated amphipods across biogeographical areas. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Navarro-Mayoral, Sandra; Tuya, Fernando; Prado, Patricia; Marco-Méndez, Candela; Fernandez-Gonzalez, Victoria; Fernández-Torquemada, Yolanda; Espino, Fernando; Antonio de la Ossa, Jose; Vilella, David Mateu; Machado, Margarida; Martínez-Crego, Begoña
• Is Part Of: Marine environmental research. Volume 186(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Cymodocea nodosa -- Seagrass -- Habitat structural complexity -- Amphipod community -- Biogeography -- Biodiversity -- Epifauna -- Atlantic ocean -- Mediterranean sea; Marine pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Écologie marine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105918
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1136

Abstract

Abstract: 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 biogeographical areas across 2000 Km and 13° 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 environmental conditions, finding that structurally more complex meadows harboring higher abundance and richness of amphipods associated. Highlights: We examine drivers of variation in seagrass-associated amphipods across 2000 Km in two ocean basins. Structurally more complex meadows host greater density and richness of amphipods. Seagrass leaf area drives higher amphipod total density and species richness, and the former also increase with algal cover. Seagrass density and epiphyte biomass drive variation in species identity, while leaf area and epiphyte biomass explain abundances. Attributes of habitat structural complexity selected as predictors covary with environmental factors.