Mollusc fauna associated with the Cystoseira algal associations in the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea)

摘要: Mollusc assemblages associated with Cystoseira associations were sampled in the southern part of Gulf Trieste during summers 2008 and 2012. Samples collected by SCUBA diving infralittoral belt (from 1 to 4 m depth). The surface within frames 20 x cm was scraped off samples hand or an air-lift sampler. Four erected algal species found: barbata, C. compressa, corniculata Halopithys incurva. A total 69 molluscs identified those associations. Gastropoda dominant, highest richness abundance, followed Bivalvia Polyplacophora. large number juveniles found, proving importance for mollusc recruitment. Differences composition, structure abundance found sites dominated different species, correspond morphology degree development canopy-forming species. present study confirms that dominant strongly influence, although at levels, distribution Northern Adriatic Sea.