Community structure and microhabitat preferences of harpacticoid copepods in a tropical reef lagoon (Zanzibar, Tanzania)
Gheerardyn, H.; De Troch, M.; Ndaro, G.M.; Raes, M.; Vincx, M.; Vanreusel, A. (2008). Community structure and microhabitat preferences of harpacticoid copepods in a tropical reef lagoon (Zanzibar, Tanzania). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K. 88(4): 747-758. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315408001331
In: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press/Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom: Cambridge. ISSN 0025-3154; e-ISSN 1469-7769
Related to:
Gheerardyn, H.; De Troch, M.; Ndaro, G.M.; Raes, M.; Vincx, M.; Vanreusel, A. (2007). Community structure and microhabitat preferences of harpacticoid copepods in a tropical reef lagoon (Zanzibar, Tanzania), in: Thirteenth International Meiofauna Conference (THIRIMCO) July 29 - August 3, 2007, Recife, Brazil: Abstract book. pp. [Poster 98], more
Gheerardyn, H.; De Troch, M.; Ndaro, G.M.; Raes, M.; Vincx, M.; Vanreusel, A. (2008). Community structure and microhabitat preferences of harpacticoid copepods in a tropical reef lagoon (Zanzibar, Tanzania), in: Tenth International Conference on Copepoda, July 13-19, 2008, Pattaya, Thailand: Abstract book. pp. 48, more
Three microhabitat types (dead coral fragments, coral gravel and coral sand) were distinguished and sampled at two locations (Matemwe and Makunduchi) in a tropical lagoon (Zanzibar Island, Tanzania), and the community structure, habitat preferences and biodiversity of the associated harpacticoid copepod fauna was investigated. The harpacticoid fauna is affected by sediment granulometry and by the structural differences between coral and both gravel and sediment. The coral fragments contained a specific assemblage composed of typical ‘phytal’ taxa (Tisbe, Paradactylopodia and Dactylopusia) along with other eurytopic and sediment-dwelling forms (Ameira, Ectinosoma and Amphiascus), which may be attracted by the sediment retained between the coral branches. The assemblages of coral gravel and upper sediment layer did not differ significantly from each other and had mostly the same dominant genera. The sediment from Matemwe was dominated by the interstitial Paramesochridae and the sediment from Makunduchi by Tetragonicipitidae. The coral fragments from Makunduchi sustained a more diverse assemblage than gravel and the different sediment layers. It was assumed that coral form and complexity, with implications for habitable space, nutritional resources and level of predation, are importantin structuring diversity of the associated assemblage.
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