Tipificación de poblaciones bentónicas de los fondos blandos de la plataforma continental de Guipúzcoa (sureste del golfo de Vizcaya) = Typification of benthic populations of soft bottoms on the Guipuzcoan continental shelf (southeast Bay of Biscay)
Martínez, J.; Adarraga, I.; Ruiz , J.M. (2007). Tipificación de poblaciones bentónicas de los fondos blandos de la plataforma continental de Guipúzcoa (sureste del golfo de Vizcaya) = Typification of benthic populations of soft bottoms on the Guipuzcoan continental shelf (southeast Bay of Biscay). Bol. Inst. Esp. Oceanogr. 23(1-4): 85-110
In: Boletin del Instituto Español de Oceanografia. Instituto Español de Oceanografía: Madrid. ISSN 0074-0195; e-ISSN 2174-3371, meer
|   |
| Trefwoord |
|
| Author keywords |
Macrobenthic communities, soft bottom, distribution, environmental conditions |
| Auteurs | | Top |
- Martínez, J.
- Adarraga, I., meer
- Ruiz, J.M.
|
|
|
| Abstract |
The present paper reports on the results obtained from field samplings carried out on the Guipuzcoan continental shelf. Thirty-six stations were sampled in May 2005, at depths ranging from 5-155 m. Bottom samples were obtained with a 0.1 m2 Van Veen-type grab and sieved with 1 mm mesh. More than 19 000 individuals were identified, belonging to more than 680 species. Nineteen different macrobenthic assemblages were distinguished, based on their species composition, abundance, species richness and habitat preferences. Most of these are very similar to those described in adjacent areas. On a large scale, five major communities were identified in the 36 stations sampled. The Tellina community was found on exposed sandy infralittoral bottoms at depths of 5-15 m; the Venus community on medium and fine sands at 20-50 m; and the Amphiura community in muddy sands and mud, from approximately 50-150 m. By chance, the Maldane community was found on muddy bottoms in the circalittoral area, and the deep Venus community, or Venus fasciata-Spisula elliptica-Branchiostoma described by Thorson (1957), on coarse shell gravel. Bray-Curtis similarity analysis and ecological index suggested that bathymetry and type of sediment are the main factors structuring species’ spatial distributions and macrozoobenthic assemblages. |
|
