Distribution patterns of Syllidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from seagrass (Zostera marina and Z. noltei) meadows in the Ensenada de O Grove (Galicia, NW Spain)

Authors

  • Patricia Quintas Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidad de Vigo
  • Juan Moreira Departamento de Biología (Zoología), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
  • Jesús S. Troncoso Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidad de Vigo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.03770.26A

Keywords:

Syllidae, seagrass meadows, Zostera marina, Zostera noltei, diversity, multivariate analysis, Atlantic Ocean, Spain

Abstract


This paper describes the distribution and composition of the syllid fauna inhabiting seagrass meadows in the Ensenada de O Grove (NW Spain). Samples were collected on muddy sediments colonized by either Zostera marina L., Zostera noltei Hornemann or by a mixed meadow with both species. Syllids were dominant (13340 individuals; 37% of total polychaete abundance), including 22 species (12 genera). The mixed meadows housed the highest number of species and the Z. noltei meadow had practically no syllids. The dominant species were Exogone naidina, Parapionosyllis elegans, Parexogone hebes and Prosphaerosyllis campoyi ( > 80% of total abundance). Carnivores (mainly species of Parapionosyllis, Amblyosyllis, and Streptosyllis) were dominant, especially in muddy sand with either Z. marina or Z. noltei and sandy mud with a mixed meadow. The most important abiotic variables for explaining the composition and distribution of the syllid fauna were bottom water salinity, sorting coefficient and carbonate content. The highest number of species was recorded at sites with a high salinity and carbonate content and the lowest at sites with a high sorting coefficient.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abbiati M., Bianchi C.N., Castelli A. 1987. Polychaete vertical zonation along a littoral cliff in the western Mediterranean. P.S.Z.N.I. Mar. Ecol. 8: 33-48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.1987.tb00173.x

Aguado M.T., San Martín G. 2009. Phylogeny of Syllidae (Polychaeta) based on morphological data. Zool. Scr. 38(4): 379-402. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-6409.2008.00380.x

Arroyo M.C., Salas C., Rueda J.L., Gofas S. 2006. Temporal changes of mollusc populations from a Zostera marina bed in southern Spain (Alboran Sea), with biogeographic considerations. Mar. Ecol. 27: 417-430. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.2006.00117.x

Attrill M.J., Strong J.A., Rowden A.A. 2000. Are macroinvertebrate communities influenced by seagrass structural complexity? Ecography 23: 114-121. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2000.tb00266.x

Blanchet H., De Montaudouin X., Lucas A., Chardy P. 2004. Heterogeneity of macrozoobenthic assemblages within a Zostera noltii seagrass bed: diversity, abundance, biomass and structuring factors. Est. Coast. Shelf Sci. 61(1): 111-123. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2004.04.008

Bone D., San Martín G. 2003. Ecological aspects of syllids (Annelida: Polychaeta: Syllidae) on Thalassia testudinum beds in Venezuela. Hydrobiologia 496: 289-298. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1026117503709

Bremec C., Giberto D. 2006. Polychaete assemblages in the Argentinean Biogeographical Province, between 34° and 38°S. Sci. Mar. 20: 249-257.

Brito M.C., Martín D., Nú-ez J. 2005. Polychaetes associated to a Cymodocea nodosa meadow in the Canary Islands: assemblage structure, temporal variability and vertical distribution compared to other Mediterranean seagrass meadows. Mar. Biol. 146: 467-481. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-004-1460-1

Cabioch L. 1968. Contribution a la connaissance des peuplements benthiques de la Manche occidentale. Cah. Biol. Mar. 9: 493-720.

Cacabelos E., Moreira J., Troncoso J.S. 2008. Distribution of Polychaeta in soft-bottoms of a Galician Ria (NW Spain). Sci. Mar. 72(4): 655-667. http://dx.doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2008.72n4655

Cacabelos E., Moreira J., Troncoso J.S. 2010. Distribution and ecological analysis of the Syllidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) from the Ensenada de San Simón (Galicia, NW Spain). Thalassas 26(2): 93-102.

Çinar M.E. 2003. Ecological features of Syllidae (Polychaeta) from shallow-water benthic environments of the Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. UK 83: 737-745. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315403007732h

Clarke K.R., Warwick R.M. 1994. Change in marine communities: an approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. Natural Environmental Research Council, UK, 144 pp.

Currie D.R., Small K.J. 2005. Macrobenthic community responses to long-term environmental change in an east Australian subtropical estuary. Est. Coast. Shelf Sci. 63: 315-331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2004.11.023

Duffy J.E., Harvilicz A.M. 2001. Species-specific impacts of grazing amphipods in an eelgrass-bed community. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 223: 201-211. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps223201

Fauchald K., Jumars P.A. 1979. The diet of worms: a study of polychaete feeding guilds. Oceanogr. Mar. Biol. Annu. Rev. 17: 193-284.

Field J.G., Clarke K.R., Warwick R.M. 1982. A practical strategy for analysing multispecies distribution patterns. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser. 8: 37-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps008037

Franke H.D. 1999. Reproduction of the Sylllidae. In: Reproductive Strategies and Developmental patterns in Annelids. Dorrestiejn A., Westheide W. (eds). Hydrobiologia 402: 39-55.

Fredriksen S., Christie H., Sæthre B.A. 2005. Species richness in macroalgae and macrofauna assemblages on Fucus serratus L. (Phaeophyceae) and Zostera marina L. (Angiospermae) in Skagerrak, Norway. Mar. Biol. Res. 1(1): 2-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000510018953

Fredriksen S., De Backer A., Boström C., Christie H. 2010. Infauna from Zostera marina L. meadows in Norway. Differences in vegetated and unvegetated areas. Mar. Biol. Res. 6(2): 189-200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000903042461

Gambi M.C., Conti G., Bremec C.S. 1998. Polychaete distribution, diversity and seasonality related to seagrass cover in shallow soft bottoms of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy). Sci. Mar. 62(1-2): 1-17.

Gambi, M.C., Giangrande, A. 1985a. Analisis della struttura trofica del popolamento dei policheti nei fondi mobili di due aree del Mar Tirreno. Oebalia 11: 215-222.

Gambi M.C., Giangrande A. 1985b. Caratterizzazione e distribuzione delle categorie trofiche dei policheti nei fondi mobili del Golfo di Salerno. Oebalia 11: 223-240.

Gambi M.C., Giangrande A., Chessa L.A., Manconi R., Scardi M. 1989. Distribution and ecology of polychaetes in the foliar stratum of a Posidonia oceanica bed in the bay of Porto Conte N.W. Sardinia. In: Boudouresque C.F., Meinesz A., Fresi E., Gravez V. (eds), International Workshop on Posidonia oceanica beds. GIS Posidonie publ., Fr. 2: 175-187.

Gambi M.C., Giangrande A., Martinelli M., Chessa L.A. 1995. Polychaetes of a Posidonia oceanica bed off Sardinia (Italy): Spatio-temporal distribution and feeding guild analysis. Sci. Mar. 59: 129-141.

Giangrande A. 1985. Policheti dei rizomi di Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile (Helobiae, Potamogetonaceae) di una prateria dell'isola di Ischia (Napoli). Atti Soc. Tosc. Sci. Nat. Meme. 92: 195-206.

Giangrande A. 1988. Polychaete zonation and its relation to algal distribution down a vertical cliff in the western Mediterranean (Italy): a structural analysis. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 120: 263-276. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981(88)90006-8

Giangrande A. 1990. Distribution and reproduction of Syllids (Annelida, Polychaeta) along a vertical cliff (west Mediterranean). Oebalia 16: 69-85.

Giangrande A., Gambi M.C. 1986. Polychètes d'une pelouse de Cymodocea nodosa (Ucria) Aschers. du Golfe de Salerno (Mer Tyrrhénienne). Vie Milieu 36: 185-190. /tr>Giangrande A., Licciano M., Pagliara P. 2000. The diversity of diets in Syllidae (Annelida: Polychaeta). Cah. Biol. Mar. 41: 55-65.

Glémarec M. 1964. Bionomie benthique de la partie orientale du Golfe de Morbihan. Cah. Biol. Mar. 5: 33-96.

Grall J., Hall-Spencer J.M. 2003. Problems facing maerl conservation in Brittany. Aquat. Conserv. 13(1): 55-64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.568

Guitián F., Carballas J. 1976. Técnicas de análisis de suelos. Ed. P. Sacro. Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Heck K.L. Jr., Thoman TA. 1981. Experiments on predator-prey interactions in vegetated aquatic habitats. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 3: 125-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981(81)90014-9

Hily C., Connan S., Raffin C., Wyllie-Echeverria S. 2004. In vitro experimental assessment of the grazing pressure of two gastropods on Zostera marina L. epiphytic algae. Aq. Bot. 78: 183-195. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2003.10.001

Hutchings P. 1981. The Fauna of Australian Seagrass Beds. P. Linn. Soc. N. S. W. 106: 181-200.

Jacobs R.P.W.M., Hegger H.H., Ras-Willems A. 1983. Seasonal variations in the structure of a Zostera community on tidal flats in the SW Netherlands, with special reference to the benthic fauna. P. K. Ned. Akad. Wetensc. 86(3): 347-375.

Junoy J. 1996. La Ría de Foz, comunidades bentónicas. Servicio de Publicaciones de la Diputación Provincial de Lugo, 210 pp.

Kitting C.L., Fry B., Morgan M.D. 1984. Detection of inconspicuous epiphytic algae supporting food webs in seagrass meadows. Oecologia 62: 145-149. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00379006

Laborda A.J., Cimadevilla I., Capdevila L., García J.R. 1997. Distribución de las praderas de Zostera noltii Hornem., 1832 en el litoral del norte de Espa-a. Publ. Espec. Inst. Esp. Oceanogr. 23: 273-282.

Lanera P., Gambi M.C. 1993. Polychaete distribution in some Cymodocea nodosa meadows around the Island of Ischia (Gulf of Napoles, Italy). Oebalia 19: 89-103.

López E., Gallego R. 2006. Temporal variation of a syllid (Syllidae: Polychaeta) taxocoenosis associated with Stypocaulon scoparium (Stypocaulaceae: Phaeophyceae) in the western Mediterranean. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. UK 86: 51-59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315406012859

López E., San Martín G. 1997. Eusyllinae, Exogoninae and Autolytinae (Syllidae, Annelida, Polychaeta) from the Chafarinas lslands (Alboran Sea, W Mediterranean). Misc. Zool. 20(2): 101-111.

Lourido A. 2009. Distribución especial de la macrofauna bentónica de sustratos sedimentarios de la Ría de Aldán (Galicia, NO de Espa-a). PhD thesis, Vigo University, Galicia, Spain, 483 pp.

Lourido A., Cacabelos E., Troncoso J.S. 2008. Patterns of distribution of the polychaete fauna in subtidal soft sediments of the Ría de Aldán (north-western Spain). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. UK 88: 263-275. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315408000696

Moreira J. 2003. La fauna bentónica de la Ensenada de Baiona (Galicia, NO península Ibérica): diversidad, análisis de las comunidades, dinámica de poblaciones y distribución vertical. Ph.D. thesis, Vigo University, Galicia, Spain, 676 pp.

Moreira J., Quintas P., Troncoso J.S. 2006. Spatial distribution of soft-bottom polychaete annelids in the Ensenada de Baiona (Ría de Vigo, Galicia, north-west Spain). Sci. Mar. 70(3): 217-224.

Musco L. 2012. Ecology and diversity of Mediterranean hardbottom Syllidae (Annelida): a community level approach. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 461: 107-119. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps09753

Nakaoka M., Toyohara T., Matsumasa M. 2001. Seasonal and between-substrate variation in mobile epifaunal community in a multispecific seagrass bed of Otsuchi Bay, Japan. P.S.Z.N.I: Mar. Ecol. 22: 379-395. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0485.2001.01726.x

Nelson W.G., Capone M.A. 1990. Experimental studies of predation on polychaetes associated with seagrass beds. Estuaries 13(1): 51-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1351432

Olano M.L., López E., San Martín G. 1998. Dos nuevas especies de Sílidos (Polychaeta, Syllidae, Exogoninae) para el litoral ibérico: Sphaerosyllis belizensis Russell, 1989 y Exogone (Parexogone) cognettii Castelli, Badalamenti & Lardicci, 1987. Bol. R. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. 94(1-2): 83-88.

Omena E., Creed J.C. 2004. Polychaete fauna of seagrass beds (Halodule wrightii Ascherson) along the coast of Rio de Janeiro (Southeast Brazil). Mar. Ecol. 25(4): 273-288. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0485.2004.00031.x

Orth R.J., Heck K.L. Jr. 1980. Structural components of eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows in the lower Chesapeake Bay – Fishes. Estuaries 3: 278-288. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1352083

Orth R.J., Heck K.L., Van Montfrans Fr. 1984. Faunal communities in seagrass beds: A review of the influence of plant structure and prey characteristics on predator-prey relationships. Estuaries 7(4A): 339-350. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1351618

Parapar J., San Martín G., Besteiro C., Urgorri V. 1994. Aspectos sistemáticos y ecológicos de las Subfamilias Eusyllinae y Exogoninae (Polychaeta, Syllidae) en la Ría de Ferrol (Galicia, NO Espa-a). Bol. R. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. (Sec. Biol.) 91: 91-101.

Parapar J., San Martín G., Besteiro C., Urgorri V. 1996a. Aspectos sistemáticos y ecológicos de la Subfamilia Autolytinae (Polychaeta, Syllidae) en la Ría de Ferrol (Galicia, NO Espa-a). Bol. R. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. 92(1/4): 139-149.

Parapar J., San Martín G., Urgorri V., Besteiro C. 1996b. Aspectos sistemáticos y ecológicos de la Subfamilia Syllinae (Polychaeta: Syllidae) en la Ría de Ferrol (Galicia, NO Espa-a). Bol. R. Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. 92(1/4): 55-63.

Quintas P. 2005. Distribución espacial y temporal de los moluscos y anélidos poliquetos asociados a las praderas de Zostera marina L. y Zostera noltii Hornem. en la Ensenada de O Grove (Galicia, Espa-a). PhD thesis, Vigo University, Galicia, Spain, 488 pp.

Quintas P., Rolán E., Troncoso J.S. 2005. Sobre la presencia de un ejemplar de Hexaplex trunculus en la Ensenada de O Grove (Ría de Arousa, Galicia). Noticiario SEM 43: 77-78.

Rasmussen E. 1973. Systematics and ecology of the Isefjord marine fauna (Denmark). Ophelia 11: 1-482. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00785326.1973.10430115

Rolán E. 1992. Dos especies más de moluscos mediterráneas introducidas en la bahía de O Grove (Galicia, Spain). Thalassas 10: 135.

Rolán E., Trigo J., Otero-Schmitt J., Rolán-Álvarez E. 1985. Especies implantadas lejos de su área de su distribución natural. Thalassas 3: 29-36.

Rueda J.L., Marina P., Urra J., Salas C. 2009. Changes in the composition and structure of a molluscan assemblage due to eelgrass loss in southern Spain (Alboran Sea). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. UK 89: 1319-1330. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315409000289

San Martín G. 2003. Fauna ibérica. Annelida, Polychaeta II Syllidae. In: Ramos M.A. et al. (eds), Fauna Ibérica 21. Museo Natural de Ciencias Naturales. CSIC. Madrid, 554 pp.

San Martín G., Estapé S., García Ocejo A., Gómez C., Jiménez P. 1990. Estudio de la taxocenosis de Anélidos Poliquetos de rizomas de Posidonia oceanica en las costas de Almería. Bol. Inst. Esp. Oceanogr. 6(1): 41-58.

San Martín G., González G., López-Jamar E. 1985. Aspectos sistemáticos y ecológicos sobre algunas especies de Sílidos (Polychaeta: Syllidae) de las costas gallegas. Bol. Inst. Esp. Oceanogr. 2(2): 27-36.

San Martín G., Viéitez J.M. 1984. Anélidos Poliquetos de los rizomas de Posidonia oceanica en las costas de Cabo Palos (Murcia, Espa-a). International Workshop on Posidonia oceanica Beds 1: 149-157.

Sánchez-Moyano J.E., García-Asencio I. 2009. Distribution and trophic structure of annelid assemblages in a Caulerpa prolifera bed from southern Spain. Mar. Biol. Res. 5(2): 122-132. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000802317691

Sardá R. 1985. Anélidos Poliquetos del Estrecho de Gibraltar. l. Amphinomida, Spintherida y Phillodocida. Misc. Zool. 9: 65-78.

Somaschini A., Gravina M.F. 1994. Ecological analysis of some Syllidae (Annelida, Polychaeta) from the central Tyrrhenian Sea (Ponza Island). In: Dauvin J.C., Laubier L., Reish D.J. (eds), Actes de la 4ême Conférence internationale des Polychètes. Mém. Mus. Natn. Hist. Nat. 162: 567-573.

Stoner A.W. 1980. The role of seagrass biomass in the organization of benthic macrofaunal assemblages. Bull. Mar. Sci. 30(3): 537-551.

Stoner A.W., Lewis F.G. 1985. The influence of quantitative and qualitative aspects of habitat complexity in tropical sea-grass meadows. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 94: 19-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981(85)90048-6

Tena J., Capaccioni-Azzati R., Torres-Gavila F.J., García-Carrascosa A.M. 2000. Polychaetes associated with different facies of the photophilic algal community in the Chafarinas archipelago (SW Mediterranean). Bull. Mar. Sci. 67(1): 55-72.

Tena J., Capaccioni-Azzati R., Torres-Gavila F.J., Porras R. 1993. Anélidos poliquetos del antepuerto de Valencia: distribución y categorías tróficas. Publ. Espec. Inst. Esp. Oceanogr. 11: 15-20.

Thayer G.W., Bjorndal K.A., Ogden J.C., Williams S.L., Zieman J.C. 1984. Role of larger herbivores in seagrass communities. Estuaries 7(4): 351-376. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1351619

Tu Do V., De Montaudouin X., Lavesque N., Blanchet H., Guyard H. 2011. Seagrass colonization: Knock-on effects on zoobenthic community, populations and individual. Est. Coast. Shelf Sci. 20: 458-469. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2011.10.022

Webster P.J., Rowden A.A., Attrill M.J. 1998. Effect of shoot density on the infaunal macro-invertebrate community within a Zostera marina seagrass bed. Est. Coast. Shelf Sci. 47: 351-257. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/ecss.1998.0358

Downloads

Published

2013-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Quintas P, Moreira J, Troncoso JS. Distribution patterns of Syllidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from seagrass (Zostera marina and Z. noltei) meadows in the Ensenada de O Grove (Galicia, NW Spain). Sci. mar. [Internet]. 2013Sep.30 [cited 2024Mar.28];77(3):511-23. Available from: https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/1467

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)