Macrobenthic migration and its influence on the intertidal diversity dynamics of a meso-tidal system

Davidson, I.C.; Crook, A.C.; Barnes, D.K.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9076-7867. 2004 Macrobenthic migration and its influence on the intertidal diversity dynamics of a meso-tidal system. Marine Biology, 145 (4). 833-842. 10.1007/s00227-004-1373-z

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Abstract/Summary

The link between movement and migration of organisms to patterns of biodiversity may be an important mechanism of biodiversity maintenance at local scales. but is regularly underestimated in marine studies. Patterns of diversity, density and distribution of all mobile macrofaunal components of an intertidal assemblage were quantitatively investigated throughout diurnal and tidal cycles In a meso-tidal system southwest Ireland. A significant trend of decreasing diversity with shore height was observed during periods of emersion at both day and night, but not during immersion. While certain taxa (e.g. the isopod Ligia oceanica and the sea mite Erythraeus sp.) exhibited obvious patterns of activity and migration with tide and time, the majority of species were observed to be sedentary or showed no obvious pattern of migration. The influence of rare, transient species on biodiversity measurement and community structure was significant, particularly during periods of immersion. In order to produce meaningful descriptions of intertidal biodiversity, it is therefore crucial that future studies be conducted during periods of immersion and emersion, and that they should consider the influence of migrating species.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s00227-004-1373-z
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Life at the Edge - Stresses and Thresholds
ISSN:	0025-3162
NORA Subject Terms:	Marine Sciences Biology and Microbiology Zoology Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	13 Jan 2012 13:44 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/12147

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1007/s00227-004-1373-z

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Life at the Edge - Stresses and Thresholds

ISSN:

0025-3162

NORA Subject Terms:

Marine Sciences
Biology and Microbiology
Zoology
Ecology and Environment

Date made live:

13 Jan 2012 13:44 +0 (UTC)