Do changes in microhabitat availability within a Marine Reserve reduce the species richness of small mobile macrofauna and meiofauna? Artículo académico uri icon

Abstracto

  • Extensive beds of the mussel Perumytilus purpuratus are a common feature of the mid-intertidal along the Chilean coast. The beds are an alternative stable state that results from the anthropogenic removal of the keystone predator Concholepas concholepas. The mussel beds constitute an important microhabitat that supports a large number of small mobile macrofaunal and meiofaunal species. This paper seeks to determine if the absence of extensive mussel beds within a Marine Reserve results in a reduced species richness. We used ‘live’ artificial mussel beds on plates to determine the species richness of fauna both inside and outside the Marine Reserve. There were no significant differences in the species richness (Smean) on plates inside and outside the Marine Reserve but there were differences with the natural mussel beds. Though the assemblages on the plates did not reach maturity ‘live’, artificial mussel beds could prove a useful tool for assessing the species richness of small mobile macrofauna and meiofauna.

fecha de publicación

  • 2012

Número de páginas

  • 5

Página inicial

  • 1283

Última página

  • 1288

Volumen

  • 92

Cuestión

  • 6