Mussel beds — amensalism or amelioration for intertidal fauna?

摘要: The faunal assemblages of a mussel bed (Mytilus edulis L.) and ambient sandflat were compared to study how bioherm suspension feeding organisms affects benthic communities in tidal flat. During survey beds the Wadden Sea at island Sylt (North Sea), total 52 macrofaunal species 44 meiobenthic plathelminth detected. They occupied different microhabitats bed. 56% macrofauna dwelling sediment beneath mussels 42% epibenthic or epiphytic. latter restricted their occurrence Along transect from mean densities did not differ significantly, while abundances significantly lower than sandflat. composition shifted dominance Polychaeta Oligochaeta Surface filter-feeding polychaetes (Tharyx marioni) displaced by deposit under cover (Capitella capitata, Heteromastus filiformis). density was single taxa (Ostracoda, Plathelminthes, Nematoda) less abundant mud assemblage dominated grazing (Archaphanostoma agile), differed community structure aseemblage. An amensalistic relationship found between suspension-feeding infauna, deposit-feeders enhanced. presence results variety trophic groups co-occurring This is hypothesized as group amelioration described an attribute heterotrophic reefs.