Poster (Scientific congresses and symposiums)
Diversity, dynamics and trophic ecology of animal communities associated to Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile macrophytodetrital accumulation: synthesis of a ten year study
Lepoint, Gilles; Borges, Alberto; Champenois, Willy et al.
2016International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW 12)
 

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Keywords :
macrophytodetritus; stareso; Posidonia oceanica; stable isotopes; seagrass litter; macrofauna; meiofauna; amphipods; blue carbon
Abstract :
[en] In the Mediterranean, Neptune grass Posidonia oceanica, produces a huge quantity of detrital biomass. These macrophytodetritus may accumulate in shallow waters, forming litter accumulations colonised by abundant, yet understudied, animal communities. These accumulations are especially foraged by juvenile and adult fishes. Here, we aim to synthesize results obtained over the last ten years regarding diversity, dynamics and trophic ecology of associated meio- and macrofauna. Accumulations are found throughout the year but important seasonal and short-term variability in composition, quantity and physico-chemical parameters inside the accumulation is observed. Accumulations are dominated by respiration (litter degradation), however, primary production occurs at exposed surfaces (epiphytic production). Meio- and macrofauna have distinct traits in comparison to adjacent habitats (seagrass meadows or epilithic algae communities). A physico-chemical gradient occurs inside accumulations which partially defines assemblage composition and distribution. Meiofauna, in particular harpacticoid copepods, is diverse, abundant and composed of species from seagrass meadows, water column and sediment. In contrast, macrofaunal assemblages are simplified compared to the ones occurring in the seagrass meadows and are dominated by amphipods. Litter accumulations display a lower macrofaunal diversity than do seagrass meadows, but a higher abundance and animal biomass. Meio- and macrofauna show a high trophic diversity, dominated by ingestion and assimilation of epiphytes (macroalgae and, probably, detrivorous microbiota). Moreover, direct or indirect assimilation of carbon originating from seagrass detritus is demonstrated for many species. Although diverse trophic niches were observed, the assemblage showed a simplified trophic web structure compared to the seagrass meadows. Detritivorous organisms dominate this assemblage and are more abundant in the litter than in the living meadows. Consequently, according to its abundance and the fact it consumes directly and indirectly seagrass material, fauna associated to litter accumulation may play a significant role in the degradation and transfer to higher trophic level of detrital seagrass carbon.
Research center :
MARE - Centre Interfacultaire de Recherches en Océanologie - ULiège
FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège
Disciplines :
Aquatic sciences & oceanology
Zoology
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Lepoint, Gilles  ;  Université de Liège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanographie biologique
Borges, Alberto  ;  Université de Liège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Chemical Oceanography Unit (AGO)
Champenois, Willy ;  Université de Liège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Unité d'Océanographie chimique (UOC)
Darchambeau, François ;  Université de Liège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Chemical Oceanography Unit (AGO)
Dauby, Patrick ;  Université de Liège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Systématique et diversité animale
Gobert, Sylvie  ;  Université de Liège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanographie biologique
Mascart, Thibaud;  Universiteit Gent - Ugent > Marine Biolgoy
Michel, Loïc  ;  Université de Liège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanographie biologique
Remy, François ;  Université de Liège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanologie
Sturaro, Nicolas ;  Université de Liège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanographie biologique
De Troch, Marleen;  Universiteit Gent - Ugent > Marine Biology
Language :
English
Title :
Diversity, dynamics and trophic ecology of animal communities associated to Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile macrophytodetrital accumulation: synthesis of a ten year study
Publication date :
17 October 2016
Number of pages :
70 x 100
Event name :
International Seagrass Biology Workshop (ISBW 12)
Event organizer :
World Seagrass Association (WSA)
Event place :
Nant Gwrtheyrn, United Kingdom
Event date :
16 octobre 2016 au 22 octobre 2016
Audience :
International
Name of the research project :
Implications des accumulations de litière de posidonies et des communautés microbiennes et détritivores associées dans le cycle du carbone d'un milieu marin côtier oligotrophe.
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
Commentary :
Synthetic result from Seagrass litter project started in 2005, granted by FNRS in 2009 and still in progress. Some publications related to the litter project may be found here: http://orbi.ulg.ac.be/simple-search?query=posidonia+macrophytodetritus. See also Borges & Champenois Limnology and Océanography 57(1), 347-361 (2012). Publications of MAscart and Remy'thesis results are still in progress.
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since 08 November 2016

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