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Effect of habitat attributes on the abundance of Sargassum’s epifauna and the feeding habit of an amphipod epifauna from the coast of Western India

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Title Effect of habitat attributes on the abundance of Sargassum’s epifauna and the feeding habit of an amphipod epifauna from the coast of Western India
 
Creator Imchen, T
Ezaz, W
 
Subject Abundance
Community structure
Diversity
Epiphytic macrofauna
Epiphytic microalgae
Hyale nuda
Seasonal variations
 
Description 432-439
The Sargassum bed along the rocky intertidal region is highly productive and serves as a habitat for numerous associated
species. In this study, the effect of habitat attributes (algal morphology) on the abundance and diversity of epifauna in
Sargassum tenerrimum was investigated. Qualitative and quantitative analysis showed that the overall species diversity was
high, and Hyale nuda, Gammaropsis sp. and Modiolus adriaticus were the most abundant epifaunal species observed. The
abundance of epifauna varied significantly with time. Compared to pre-monsoon months (February to May), post-monsoon
(October to January) had a greater diversity of S. tenerrimum associated epifauna. The diversity was particularly high in the
month of November. Epifauna showed a positive correlation with the characteristic of algal morphology, indicating its
influence on abundance and diversity. Hyale nuda being the most ubiquitous and abundant epifauna observed, the
biotic interaction between S. tenerrimum and H. nuda was studied further. Close examination of the gut contents of
H. nuda revealed that they graze and consume the epiphytic microalgae of S. tenerrimum, instead of the macroalgal fronds.
This suggests that through this relationship, epibiosis in Sargassum may remain in control, while the amphipod derives food,
shelter and protection from the predators.
 
Date 2024-05-22T06:27:39Z
2024-05-22T06:27:39Z
2023-09
 
Type Article
 
Identifier 2582-6727 (Online); 2582-6506 (Print)
http://nopr.niscpr.res.in/handle/123456789/63939
https://doi.org/10.56042/ijms.v52i09.11266
 
Language en
 
Publisher NIScPR-CSIR, India
 
Source IJMS Vol.52(09) [September 2023]