Differential responses of bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna in a shelf area (Ligurian Sea, NW Mediterranean): role of food availability

Author(s): Albertelli G, Covazzi-Harriague A, Danovaro R, Fabiano M, Fraschetti S, et al.

Abstract

Density and biomass of bacteria, meio- and macrofauna were examined along a transect of eight stations (5–135 m depth) facing the estuary of the river Entella (Ligurian Sea) during summer 1990. Sediment samples were collected to determine organic detritus composition (total organic matter, lipid, protein and carbohydrate concentrations) and microphytobenthic biomass (as chlorophyll-a). Synoptic water samples were collected to determine the quantity and the quality of suspended matter (total suspended matter, particulate lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and chloroplastic pigments). Particulate organic matter in the surface water decreased from the coast towards the open sea both in quality and quantity. By contrast, the organic-matter concentration in the sediment increased with water depth. Quantity and biochemical composition of suspended and sedimentary organic matter affected the distribution of all the benthic assemblages. Bacteria appeared to be controlled by different parameters at different depths: generally they appeared to depend upon sediment particle surface and the quantity of organic matter, but when metazoan (particularly meiofauna) densities were high, grazing pressure might also exert a control on their abundance. The distribution of meio- and macrofauna along the continental shelf of the oligotrophic Ligurian Sea appears to depend more upon the quality of organic matter than on its quantity.

Similar Articles

Basic Ecology

Author(s): Odum EP

The estuarine ecosystem

Author(s): Mc Lusky DS

Differences in benthic fauna and sediment among mangrove (Avicennia marina var

Author(s): Morrisey DJ, Skilleter GA, Ellis JI, Burns BR, Kemp CE, et al.

The seagrasses of the world

Author(s): Den Hartog C

World Atlas of Seagrasses

Author(s): Green EP, Short FT

Accelerating loss of seagrasses across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems

Author(s): Waycott M, Duarte CM, Carruthers TJB, Orth RJ, Dennison WC, et al.

Seagrasses: biology, ecology and conservation

Author(s): Larkum AWD, Orth RJ, Duarte CM

Seagrass Ecology

Author(s): Hemminga MA, Duarte CM

Seagrass community ecology: Marine Community Ecology

Author(s): Williams SL, Heck Jr K.L.

The future of seagrass meadows

Author(s): Duarte C.M

Latitudinal gradients as natural laboratories to infer species’ responses to temperature

Author(s): De Frenne P, Graae BJ, Rodríguez-Sanchez F, Kolb A, Chabrerie O, et al.

(2016b) Cockle infection by Himasthla quissetensis - II

Author(s): de Montaudouin X, Blanchet H, Bazairi H, Nazik A, Desclaux-Marchand C, et al

Consequences of climate-driven biodiversity changes for ecosystem functioning of North European rocky shores

Author(s): Hawkins SJ, Sugden HE, Mieszkowska N, Moore PJ, Poloczanska E, et al.

Changes in North Sea macrofauna communities and species distribution between 1986 and 2000

Author(s): Kröncke I, Reiss H, Eggleton JD, Aldridge J, et al.

Sea level variability and tidal resonance in the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia

Author(s): Sammari C, Koutitonsky VG, Moussa M

Long-term evolution (1988-2008) of Zostera spp

Author(s): Plus M, Sebastien D, Gilles T, Isabelle A, de Montaudouin X, et al.

The Mathematical theory of communication

Author(s): Shannon CE, Weaver W

Diet of Worms Emended: An Update of Polychaete Feeding Guilds

Author(s): Jumars PA, Dorgan KM, Lindsay SM

Polychaete/amphipod ratio revisited

Author(s): Dauvin JC, Ruellet T

PRIMER v6: User Manual/Tutorial

Author(s): Clarke KR, Gorley RN

Infauna from Zostera marina L

Author(s): Fredriksen S, De Backer A, Böstrom C, Christie H

Seagrass colonization: knock-on effects on zoobenthic community, populations and individual health

Author(s): Do VT, de Montaudouin X, Lavesque N, Blanchet H, Guyard H

A Three-Stage Symbiosis Forms the Foundation of Seagrass Ecosystems

Author(s): van der Heide T, Govers LL, de Fouw J, Olff H, van der Geest M, et al.

The biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: estimates, patterns, and threats

Author(s): Coll M, Piroddi C, Steenbeek J, Kaschner K, Ben Rais Lasram F, et al.

Complex interactions in a rapidly changing world: responses of rocky shore communities to recent climate change

Author(s): Hawkins SJ, Moore PJ, Burrows MT, Poloczanska E, Mieszkowska N, et al.

The impacts of climate change in coastal marine systems

Author(s): Harley CDG, Hughes AR, Hultgren KM, Miner BG, Sorte CJB, et al.