The distribution of the subtidal Amphipoda in Belfast Lough in relation to sediment types

Abstract

Abstract The subtidal benthic Amphipoda occurring in Belfast Lough are listed and the distribution and ecology of selected species are described. The amphipod fauna contained 28 species, 26 of which belonged to 14 families of the Suborder Gammaridea; the 2 remaining species belonged to the Suborder Caprellidea. The Amphipoda were dominated by tube-dwelling species. They were largely temperate forms but there were small components of cold-temperate and warm-temperate species. Comparisons are made between the amphipod fauna of Belfast Lough and that of neighbouring waters. The dominant and most widespread species in Belfast Lough were Corophium crassicorne, Ampelisca typica, Photis longicaudata, Ampelisca tenuicornis and A. brevicornis. The most common species had their highest densities in the outer parts of the lough, to which the rarer species were usually confined also. It is proposed that the sedimentary habitat of the shallower waters of the inner lough is more stressed than in the outer part, leading...