Observations on the Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Crustacean Amphipods in the Fusaro Coastal Lagoon (Central Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) and Some Notes on Their Presence in Mediterranean Lagoons |
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| Authors: | Gabriele Procaccini Maria Beatrice Scipione |
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| Institution: | Bioservice Soc. Coop, a r. 1., Vico S. Domenico 9, 1–80134 Napoli, Italy;Laboratorio di Ecologia del Benthos, Stazione Zoologica di Napoli, Punta S. Pietro, 1–80077 Ischia (Napoli), Italy |
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| Abstract: | Abstract. The amphipod population of the Fusaro coastal lagoon (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) was studied on a spatial-temporal scale. During a one-year period, samples were collected on hard and soft bottoms along a transect from the inland to the seaward side of the lagoon. Thirteen species were identified. The dominant taxa included species typical of lagoon environments, such as Corophium insidiosum and Microdeutopus gryllotalpa , and species typical of marine environments yet also inhabiting sheltered or semi-closed areas, such as Corophium acutum, Ericthonius brasiliensis , and Elasmopus rapax.
An inner-outer gradient was not evident, while a seasonal pattern was recognizable. At the community level, clear differences between the two substrata were not evident because of high algal growth and organogenic detritus on the soft bottoms. The importance of hydrodynamic forces in a euhaline lagoon in selecting amphipod communities - characterized by a typical trophic behaviour and way of life – is discussed. Information on the ecology of the collected species and a list of Mediterranean lagoons where they are present are also provided. |
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| Keywords: | Amphipoda lagoon spatio-temporal distribution Tyrrhenian Sea |
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