Polychaete tubes create ephemeral community patterns: Lanice conchilega (Pallas, 1766) associations studied over six years

摘要: On intertidal sandflats spatial patterns of benthic communities are influenced by biogenic habitat structures such as mussel beds or seagrass meadows. These represent ecological islands hosting a different and often more diverse abundant community than surrounding sandflats. However, few studies have been carried out on tube aggregations the polychaete Lanice conchilega, although its tops conspicuous features European coasts with densities reaching several thousand per m2. The aim this study was to determine differences between associated tube-free areas, investigate longevity around L. conchilega tubes. From 1995 2000, population an sandflat off Eastern Friesian coast sampled annually. Multivariate analysis showed significant reference communities. Species diversity abundance were higher among aggregations. This pattern developed rapidly after colonisation but also readily destroyed, mainly due dynamic changes population. Five species macrofauna exclusively found tubes, four in areas. Only one species, Aphelochaeta marioni, lower numbers dense aggregations. Hence, it is concluded that engineer, which alters composition contributes patchy distribution pattern. ephemeral. Effects depend itself sands.