DO STUDIES OF FUNCTIONAL GROUPS GIVE MORE INSIGHT TO AMPHIPOD BIODIVERSITY

摘要: Amphipod crustaceans are able to colonise different micro-habitats of coastal marine benthos due a multiplicity trophic and morpho-functional adaptations, may be considered key taxon in describing the structure assemblages. Literature concerning amphipod feeding behaviour way life showed that studies on functional groups (FGs) started only 1980s. A short review about state art knowledge is presented here. Aiming at investigating role amphipods ascertain what extent their adaptations could response biotic abiotic conditions, some examples conducted Mediterranean Sea various plant substrata (Posidonia oceanica, Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera marina, Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea), spatial temporal scales, were given. Despite many doubts species, lack information opportunistic behaviour, identified taxa grouped main categories suspension feeders, deposit carnivores, commensals, herbivores, detritus omnivores, mixed deposit-suspension feeders-carnivores, herbivores-deposit according food ingested strategies; and, life-habits, epifaunal free-living domicolous, infaunal free-burrowing tube-building. FGs might good descriptors zonation patterns, mainly against gradients such as depth, where strong environmental factors play role. FG composition was differentiated structural complexity stability host plant. Changes observed long-term scale, regression phenomena P. oceanica meadows or spread invasive species C. cylindracea, well described by FGs. In first case diversity maintained latter herbivorous forms pointed out poor structuring seaweed. Although caution suggested FGs, they can give further insight comprehending processes ecology.