Macrofaunal communities of threatened subtidal maerl seabeds on Tenerife (Canary Islands, north-east Atlantic Ocean) in summer

Abstract

This study contributes with the first data on physical and taxonomical structure of macrofaunalassemblages of ma ̈erl beds from the Canary Islands. Ma ̈erl beds andCymodocea nodosameadowsof the Canary Islands are considered biodiversity hot-spots in terms of taxonomic and functionalbiodiversity with a broad geographical and depth ranges. The authors have studied the structure ofthe macrofaunal assemblages on different habitat types (Cymodocea, Caulerpa, sabellid field, gardeneel and ma ̈erl beds). Samples were taken at a range of depths between 14 and 46 m. Correlationswere performed among abiotic variables (granulometry, organic matter, nitrogen and phosphates)and the most abundant taxa. Similarity analysis was performed to explore the patchiness of seabedsat a local scale. Significant differences were found in macrofaunal assemblages among seabed types,with highest abundances and lowest biodiversity in sabellid fields, where the sabellidBispira violadominated. The polychaetesAponuphis bilineataandChone filicaudaand the molluscTurritellabrochiiwere the most abundant taxa on ma ̈erl beds. The mosaic of granulometric conditions wouldexplain the associated macroinfaunal community structure and contribute to the creation of diversityon these relatively well preserved seabeds at a local scale.