Community Structure and Microhabitat Preferences of Harpacticoid Copepods in a Tropical Reef Lagoon (Zanzibar Island, Tanzania)
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Date
2008
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Abstract
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 signifi-
cantly 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 important
in structuring diversity of the associated assemblage.
Description
Keywords
Dead coral substrates, Harpacticoid copepods, Composition, Biodiversity, Microhabitats, Indian Ocean
Citation
Gheerardyn, H., De Troch, M., Ndaro, S.G.M., Raes, M., Vincx, M. and Vanreusel, A., 2008. Community structure and microhabitat preferences of harpacticoid copepods in a tropical reef lagoon (Zanzibar Island, Tanzania). Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 88(4), p.747.