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The structure and diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with the understudied pseudo-kelp Saccorhiza polyschides in the Western English Channel (UK)

The structure and diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with the understudied pseudo-kelp Saccorhiza polyschides in the Western English Channel (UK)
The structure and diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with the understudied pseudo-kelp Saccorhiza polyschides in the Western English Channel (UK)

We examined spatiotemporal variability in the structure of faunal assemblages associated with the warm-temperate pseudo-kelp Saccorhiza polyschides towards its range centre (Western English Channel, southwest UK), to better understand its role as a habitat-former in the northeast Atlantic. A total of 180 sporophytes and their associated fauna were sampled across three months, three sites, and two depths. Assemblage abundance and biomass varied markedly between three morpho-functional sporophyte components (i.e., holdfast, stipe, blade). We recorded rich and abundant macroinvertebrate assemblages, comprising nine phyla, 28 coarse taxonomic groups, and 57 species of molluscs, which consistently dominated assemblages. We observed pronounced seasonality in faunal assemblage structure, marked variability between sites and depths, and strong positive relationships between biogenic habitat availability and faunal abundance/biomass. S. polyschides sporophytes are short-lived and offer temporary, less-stable habitat compared with dominant perennial Laminaria species, so shifts in the relative abundances of habitat-formers will likely alter local biodiversity patterns.

Algae, Benthic invertebrates, Biodiversity, Community composition, Foundation species, Grazers, Habitat, Holdfast, Marine forests, Microhabitat, Temperate reefs
0141-1136
Salland, Nora
08175d12-8524-46f0-aef0-98c613b6a23d
Jensen, Antony
ff1cabd2-e6fa-4e34-9a39-5097e2bc5f85
Smale, Dan A.
9be48b19-ad5f-4f40-87c8-e0bfa799584f
Salland, Nora
08175d12-8524-46f0-aef0-98c613b6a23d
Jensen, Antony
ff1cabd2-e6fa-4e34-9a39-5097e2bc5f85
Smale, Dan A.
9be48b19-ad5f-4f40-87c8-e0bfa799584f

Salland, Nora, Jensen, Antony and Smale, Dan A. (2024) The structure and diversity of macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with the understudied pseudo-kelp Saccorhiza polyschides in the Western English Channel (UK). Marine Environmental Research, 198, [106519]. (doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106519).

Record type: Article

Abstract

We examined spatiotemporal variability in the structure of faunal assemblages associated with the warm-temperate pseudo-kelp Saccorhiza polyschides towards its range centre (Western English Channel, southwest UK), to better understand its role as a habitat-former in the northeast Atlantic. A total of 180 sporophytes and their associated fauna were sampled across three months, three sites, and two depths. Assemblage abundance and biomass varied markedly between three morpho-functional sporophyte components (i.e., holdfast, stipe, blade). We recorded rich and abundant macroinvertebrate assemblages, comprising nine phyla, 28 coarse taxonomic groups, and 57 species of molluscs, which consistently dominated assemblages. We observed pronounced seasonality in faunal assemblage structure, marked variability between sites and depths, and strong positive relationships between biogenic habitat availability and faunal abundance/biomass. S. polyschides sporophytes are short-lived and offer temporary, less-stable habitat compared with dominant perennial Laminaria species, so shifts in the relative abundances of habitat-formers will likely alter local biodiversity patterns.

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Accepted/In Press date: 15 April 2024
e-pub ahead of print date: 23 April 2024
Published date: 27 April 2024
Keywords: Algae, Benthic invertebrates, Biodiversity, Community composition, Foundation species, Grazers, Habitat, Holdfast, Marine forests, Microhabitat, Temperate reefs

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 490975
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/490975
ISSN: 0141-1136
PURE UUID: d60b3c37-ac6b-495b-9ef5-9411c50a6b12
ORCID for Antony Jensen: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8924-1198

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 10 Jun 2024 17:04
Last modified: 15 Jun 2024 01:32

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Contributors

Author: Nora Salland
Author: Antony Jensen ORCID iD
Author: Dan A. Smale

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