Subtidal soft-bottom macroinvertebrate communities of the Canary Islands. An ecological approach

Authors

  • Oscar Monterroso Centro de Investigaciones Medioambientales del Atlántico
  • Rodrigo Riera Centro de Investigaciones Medioambientales del Atlántico
  • Jorge Núñez Centro de Investigaciones Medioambientales del Atlántico

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592012000100001

Keywords:

Soft-bottoms, meadows, Cymodocea, Caulerpa, macrofauna, Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The Canarian archipelago is characterized by a mosaic of soft-bottoms such as Cymodocea nodosa meadows, Caulerpa spp. meadows, mäerl bottoms, sabellid fields and bare sandy seabeds, including various macroinfaunal communities. Vegetated habitats (e.g. Cymodocea and Caulerpa) maintain more diverse communities than the non-vegetated seabeds. The results indicated that Caulerpa meadows and, to a lesser extent, Cymodocea nodosa and sabellid fields are the richest and most diverse ecosystems in the study area. Moreover, biodiversity differences among islands could be detected with maximum values on the eastern islands (Lanzarote and Gran Canaria) and lowest values on the western ones (La Palma).

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Published

2012-01-01

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How to Cite

Subtidal soft-bottom macroinvertebrate communities of the Canary Islands. An ecological approach. (2012). Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 60(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592012000100001