Shifts from native to non-indigenous mussels: Enhanced habitat complexity and its effects on faunal assemblages

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Gestoso, I (Author) Other; Arenas, F (Author) Other; M Rubal (Author) FCUP; Veiga, P (Author) Other; Pena, M (Author) Other; Olabarria, C (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Marine Environmental Research

Vol. 90

Pages: 85-95

ISSN: 0141-1136

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 12 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-7J6

DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2013.05.015

Abstract (EN): Ecosystem engineers such as mussels may affect strongly both the structure of benthic assemblages and the ecosystem functioning. The black-pygmy mussel Limnoperna securis is an invasive species that is spreading along the Galician coast (NW Spain). Its current distribution overlaps with the distribution of the commercial native mussel species Mytilus galloproyincialis, but only in the inner part of two southern Galician rias. Here, we analysed the assemblages associated with clumps of the two mussel species and evaluated if the invasive species increased complexity of habitat. To measure complexity of clumps we used a new method modified from the "chain and tape" method. Results showed that the identity of the mussel influenced macrofaunal assemblages, but not meiofauna. L. securis increased the complexity of clumps, and such complexity explained a high percentage of variability of macrofauna. The shift in dominance from M. galloprovincialis to L securis may alter habitat structure and complexity, affecting the macrofaunal assemblages with unpredictable consequences on trophic web relations.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11