Subtidal benthic megafauna in a productive and highly urbanised semi-enclosed bay (Ria de Vigo, NW Iberian Peninsula)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Aneiros, F (Author) Other; M Rubal (Author) FCUP; Troncoso, JS (Author) Other; Banon, R (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Continental Shelf Research

Vol. 110

Pages: 16-24

ISSN: 0278-4343

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-Q41

DOI: 10.1016/j.csr.2015.09.018

Abstract (EN): The Ria de Vigo is a semi-enclosed bay with high primary productivity due to the influence of coastal upwelling-downwelling dynamics. The area is heavily populated and affected by numerous human activities, which lead to sediment modification. Epibenthic megafauna from the non-estuarine zones of this bay has been studied in order to describe its spatial distribution, testing possible differences between inner and outer areas. With that purpose, 75 sites have been sampled by means of a towing dredge. Megafauna was identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible, and each taxon counted and weighted. 113 different taxa were identified and a high spatial heterogeneity was observed in terms of abundance, biomass, taxa richness, diversity and evenness. Suspension-feeding molluscs dominated the innermost part of the studied area, and were substituted by echinoderms towards the external zones; this spatial pattern was also reflected in the results of multivariate analyses. These shifts in taxonomic and trophic guild composition of the assemblages have been tentatively related to differences in pollution levels and primary productivity along the main axis of the bay.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9