Publicação
Marine benthic scavenger along a depth gradient
| Resumo: | Marine benthic scavengers play a crucial role in ecosystem, significantly influencing nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. However, despite their importance, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the distribution and biology of these organisms in the Iberian Peninsula. Thus, studies providing information on the distribution and ecology of this group of organisms are crucial for a better understanding of coastal ecosystem dynamics. This study was conducted in the coastal zone of northern Portugal, in Viana do Castelo, specifically at three depths: 30m, 50m, and 70m. At each depth, three collection sites were sampled for the collection of organisms belonging to the megafauna, with four replicates, and three collection sites were designated for the collection of organisms belonging to the macrofauna, with three replicates. Marine benthic scavengers of the megafauna were identified in situ, where their abundance and biomass were also recorded. As for marine benthic scavengers belonging to the macrofauna, they were collected and identified in the laboratory, where their identification and abundance were recorded. Through PERMANOVA analysis, the results showed significant differences between depths regarding megafaunal organisms, while organisms from the macrofauna did not exhibit such differences. The results obtained regarding the distribution of scavengers suggest that community structure may be related to factors such as depth and/or sediment type. |
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| Autores principais: | Rodrigues, Filipa Daniela Martins |
| Assunto: | Scavengers Depth gradient Megafauna Macrofauna Baited traps NW Iberian Peninsula Necrófagos Gradiente de profundidade Armadilhas com isco Noroeste da Península Ibérica |
| Ano: | 2025 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade do Minho |
| Idioma: | português |
| Origem: | RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho |
| Resumo: | Marine benthic scavengers play a crucial role in ecosystem, significantly influencing nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. However, despite their importance, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the distribution and biology of these organisms in the Iberian Peninsula. Thus, studies providing information on the distribution and ecology of this group of organisms are crucial for a better understanding of coastal ecosystem dynamics. This study was conducted in the coastal zone of northern Portugal, in Viana do Castelo, specifically at three depths: 30m, 50m, and 70m. At each depth, three collection sites were sampled for the collection of organisms belonging to the megafauna, with four replicates, and three collection sites were designated for the collection of organisms belonging to the macrofauna, with three replicates. Marine benthic scavengers of the megafauna were identified in situ, where their abundance and biomass were also recorded. As for marine benthic scavengers belonging to the macrofauna, they were collected and identified in the laboratory, where their identification and abundance were recorded. Through PERMANOVA analysis, the results showed significant differences between depths regarding megafaunal organisms, while organisms from the macrofauna did not exhibit such differences. The results obtained regarding the distribution of scavengers suggest that community structure may be related to factors such as depth and/or sediment type. |
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