Patterns of polychaete diversity in selected tropical intertidal habitats

• Autores: Christopher R.S. Barrio Froján, M.A. Kendall, G.L.J. Paterson, L.E. Hawkins, S. Nimsantijaroen
• Localización: Scientia Marina, ISSN 0214-8358, Vol. 70, Nº. Extra 3, 2006 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Scientifc advances in polychaete research), págs. 239-248
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Few studies have quantitatively compared benthic macrofaunal assemblages between different tropical intertidal habitats over differing spatial scales. The present study uses spatially nested material from vegetated (seagrass) and non-vegetated (mudflat) habitats in SW Thailand to address this issue. Polychaetes were the numerically dominant component of benthic assemblages throughout the region, comprising over 74% of the total macrofauna. Despite great within-site and sample variation, based on species diversity, polychaete assemblages were mostly site-specific. Not so visibly obvious were the evident differences in polychaete assemblages between habitats. The spatial pattern of polychaete diversity is explored.