Distribution Of Amphipods Research Articles

Contribution to the knowledge of the Amphipoda (stygobionts) collected from the Meknes aquifer, Morocco

Abstract Groundwater in the Saïss Basin is an important resource economic and social for the region. They are also the reservoir of an original biological diversity. The subterranean aquatic fauna is to date largely unknown in the Meknes region. It, therefore, represents both a significant part of the national natural heritage and an essential part of the regional natural heritage to be taken into account when conservation measures are considered. Eight wells and two springs were investigated between February 2013 and February 2014. The study was conducted in three localities in the surroundings of Meknes (Meknes, El Hajeb, and Agouray). In fact, Amphipod distribution data is based on unpublished data from my thesis work. Most hypogean taxa are crustaceans, principally the Amphipoda. This research work is a contribution to the knowledge of Amphipoda (stygobionts) collected from the Meknes aquifer. Among the subterranean Amphipoda, species belonging to the genera Metacrangonyx and Pseudoniphargus, which have never been described previously, are limited to a single locality (Agouray), typically found in Wells W4 and W5. In addition, the first record of (Metacrangonyx sp, and Pseudoniphargus sp1 and sp2.) for the stygofauna of the Meknes aquifer was also recorded. These results represent an important contribution to regional biodiversity and finally to complete the inventory of the stygofauna of Morocco.

Conservation of freshwater biodiversity in Tunisia in a climate change context: combining amphipod distribution data and molecular analyses to improve priorities

Conservation of freshwater biodiversity in Tunisia in a climate change context: combining amphipod distribution data and molecular analyses to improve priorities

Global distribution and diversity of alien Ponto-Caspian amphipods

The Ponto-Caspian region is an important donor of aquatic alien species throughout the Northern Hemisphere, many of which are amphipod crustaceans. Despite decades of ongoing spread and negative effects on native biota, a complete picture of the global diversity and distribution of these amphipods has yet to emerge, hampering efficient monitoring and predictions of future invasion pathways. Herein, we provide a comprehensive summary of alien species taxonomic and ecomorphological diversity, as well as high-resolution distribution maps and biogeographical patterns based on > 8000 global records. We find that up to 39 species in 19 genera and five families, belonging to all four currently recognized ecomorphs, are potentially alien, their diversity gradually decreasing with distance from the native region. Most species (62%) have limited distributions, 15% are widespread, and 23% exhibit intermediate ranges. We also find that regions adjacent to the native range are comparatively less well-sampled than more distant regions. Biogeographical clustering revealed three faunal provinces that largely correspond with the Southern, Central and Northern invasion corridors. We conclude that (1) alien amphipods are a representative subsample of the native Ponto-Caspian phylogenetic and ecomorphological diversity, and (2) that their biogeographical patterns are driven by anthropogenic factors acting on taxonomically distinct native regional species pools.

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The order Amphipoda is one of the most diverse taxa that globally distributed in all environments and virtually habitats. The members of genus Niphargus represent an important part of the Western Palearctic subterranean amphipoda fauna. Accurate data on the occurrence and distribution of amphipods are only available for some regions. In this study, we were applied Parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) to analyze the distribution of amphipod freshwater genus Niphargus occurring strictly at the basin or sub-basin level along of Elburz and Zagros Mountains in Iran. The analysis was carried out using the computer program PAUP* 4.0a166, based on a data matrix built with 27 taxa and 13 areas for genus Niphargus. The rooting was made on a hypothetical all-zero out-group. Applying the exact algorithm heuristic search, the consensus tree was obtained with 30 steps, a consistency index of 0.9, and a retention index of 0.1. The procedure based on distributions of the 27 species of Niphargus delimited five areas of endemism in the study area with minimum two species. The high levels of endemism observed in West boundary rivers1 sub basin with six species and then in Urmia and West boundary rivers2 sub basins with three species.

Amphipod assemblages associated with native habitat-forming seaweeds of the Alboran Sea: influence by environmental protection and biogeographical patterns

Context Despite the key ecological role played by epifaunal communities associated with macroalgae in temperate coastal rocky shores worldwide, biodiversity and ecological patterns of their associated invertebrate communities are still poorly known. Aims The present study aims to compare the amphipod assemblages associated with the dominant canopy-forming macroalgae in shallow subtidal habitats of the Alboran Sea, as well as to explore its biogeographical patterns and the influence of protection measures. Methods Replicate samples of both Ericaria selaginoides (=Cystoseira tamariscifolia) and Halopteris scoparia were collected at two different bioregions within the Alboran Sea and both inside and outside marine protected areas. Key results Amphipoda was the dominant taxon within the mobile epifaunal community, both in terms of number of species (47 different species were recorded) and individuals (>70% of the total abundance). Assemblages associated with E. selaginoides and H. scoparia differed and showed a marked response to the Mediterranean–Atlantic gradient in this region; species related to warmer waters become increasingly dominant towards the east. However, there were no significant differences in amphipod assemblage composition, abundance or species richness between protected and non-protected areas. Conclusions Obtained results highlighted the relevance of these native macroalgae as habitat for epifauna, as well as the influence of macroalgal identity and regional biogeographical patterns on amphipod distribution. Implications This study provides valuable baseline information to monitor human-induced changes such as coastal pollution, invasive species, and climate change. It also draws attention about the uncertain response of epifaunal communities to management strategies (such as marine protected areas) and ecological processes (e.g. increasing predation pressure).

The distribution of benthic amphipod crustaceans in Indonesian seas.

Amphipod crustaceans are an essential component of tropical marine biodiversity. However, their distribution and biogeography have not been analysed in one of the world’s largest tropical countries nested in the Coral Triangle, Indonesia. We collected and identified amphipod crustaceans from eight sites in Indonesian waters and combined the results with data from 32 additional sites in the literature. We analysed the geographic distribution of 147 benthic amphipod crustaceans using cluster analysis and the ‘Bioregions Infomaps’ neural network method of biogeographic discrimination. We found five groups of benthic amphipod crustaceans which show relationships with sampling methods, depth, and substrata. Neural network biogeographic analysis indicated there was only one biogeographic region that matched with the global amphipod regions and marine biogeographic realms defined for all marine taxa. There was no support for Wallaces or other lines being marine biogeographic boundaries in the region. Species richness was lower than expected considering the region is within the Coral Triangle. We hypothesise that this low richness might be due to the intense fish predation which may have limited amphipod diversification. The results indicated that habitat rather than biogeography determines amphipod distribution in Indonesia. Therefore, future research needs to sample more habitats, and consider habitat in conservation planning.

Biogeography, diversity and environmental relationships of shelf and deep-sea benthic Amphipoda around Iceland.

The waters around Iceland, bounding the Northern North Atlantic and the Nordic seas, are a region characterized by complex hydrography and seabed topography. This and the presence of the Greenland-Iceland-Faroe-Scotland ridge (GIFR) are likely to have a major impact on the diversity and distribution of the benthic fauna there. Biodiversity in this region is also under increasing threat from climate-induced changes, ocean warming and acidification in particular, affecting the marine realm. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biodiversity and distributional patterns of amphipod crustaceans in Icelandic waters and how it relates to environmental variables and depth. A comprehensive data set from the literature and recent expeditions was compiled constituting distributional records for 355 amphipod species across a major depth gradient (18–3,700 m). Using a 1° hexagonal grid to map amphipod distributions and a set of environmental factors (depth, pH, phytobiomass, velocity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved iron, salinity and temperature) we could identify four distinct amphipod assemblages: A Deep-North, Deep-South, and a Coastal cluster as well as one restricted to the GIFR. In addition to depth, salinity and temperature were the main parameters that determined the distribution of amphipods. Diversity differed greatly between the depth clusters and was significantly higher in coastal and GIFR assemblages compared to the deep-sea clusters north and south of the GIFR. A variety of factors and processes are likely to be responsible for the perceived biodiversity patterns, which, however, appear to vary according to region and depth. Low diversity of amphipod communities in the Nordic basins can be interpreted as a reflection of the prevailing harsh environmental conditions in combination with a barrier effect of the GIFR. By contrast, low diversity of the deep North Atlantic assemblages might be linked to the variable nature of the oceanographic environment in the region over multiple spatio-temporal scales. Overall, our study highlights the importance of amphipods as a constituent part of Icelandic benthos. The strong responses of amphipod communities to certain water mass variables raise the question of whether and how their distribution will change due to climate alteration, which should be a focus of future studies.

Environmental factors impacting the abundance and distribution of amphipods in intertidal rock pools

Intertidal rock pools are considered critical habitats along coastal shores. Amphipods play an important role in intertidal rock pool ecosystems, as food resources for higher trophic levels and sometimes by enriching nutrients through grazing. However, the environmental factors driving their rockpool occupation remain largely unknown. We aimed to examine the importance of the large-scale wave action variation and meso-scale shore variation on the abundance and diversity of rockpool amphipods. A total of 32 intertidal rock pools on four Portuguese shores were studied during the summer spring tide of 2015. We applied multivariate analysis to evaluate the potential impact of wave action (sheltered versus wave exposed shores), physical pool structure (length, width, and depth), and relationships within the pool community on the abundance and diversity of amphipods. Wave exposure significantly influenced amphipod abundance and diversity, and some substrata and biodiversity features of the pool were important in explaining the amphipod abundance. The percentage and composition of coverage and physical features of the rock pools had no significant effect on amphipod abundance and diversity. We showed that the amphipod rockpool community displayed a clear positive response of biodiversity and abundance to the extrinsic factor wave action, and a varied and complex response to within-rockpool biotic variables. In addition, we recorded the presence of the invasive Ampithoe valida for the first time on rocky shores of Portugal. Further investigation into the influence that wave action has on associated pool biota (i.e., dislodgment or deposition of species) could give additional insight into the role of the biotic community in the regulation of amphipod populations within intertidal rock pools

Baseline patterns of structural and functional diversity of benthic amphipods in the western Arabian Gulf

This work presents the structural and functional traits of benthic amphipods in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf. Sixty-two species belonging to 37 genera and 17 families were recorded. Sensitive species such as Grandidierella bonnieroides, G. exilis, Gammaropsis atlantica and Caprellidea indet., were mostly dominant. The average values of richness, density and diversity (H′ log2) were 11 ± 1, 512 ± 232 ind. m-2 and 3.1 ± 0.1 respectively. The density decreased with increased in depth (nearshore (NS) - 784 ± 445 and offshore (OS) - 222 ± 28, p = 0.023), while evenness (NS – 0.93 and OS -0.94) and diversity (NS – 3.10 and OS - 3.18) were unaffected by depth. Interstitial space dwellers (56.76%) and surface deposit feeders (60.16%) were dominant in the nearshore sand substratum. However, domicolous (72.2%) with suspension and surface deposit feeders (71.7%) were more in offshore silt sediments. The combination of depth, pH and TPH (p = 0.249) influenced the distribution of amphipods.

Scavenging amphipods from the Wallaby-Zenith Fracture Zone: Extending the hadal paradigm beyond subduction trenches

Our understanding of the ecology of the hadal zone (> 6000 m depth) is based solely on subduction trenches, leaving other geomorphological features, such as fracture zones, troughs, and basins, understudied. To address this knowledge gap, the Wallaby-Zenith Fracture Zone, Indian Ocean (WZFZ; ~ 22°S, 102°E; maximum depth 6625 m measured during Expedition SO258) was studied using free-fall baited landers. We assessed the amphipod distribution and community assemblage of this non-subduction hadal feature and compared it to subduction hadal features. Eleven species were identified across the abyssal-hadal transition zone using a paired morphological and DNA barcoding approach. The community composition was found to change gradually from abyssal to hadal depths, which contrasts with the ecotone shift characteristic of subduction trenches. A large population of Bathycallisoma schellenbergi (Birstein & Vinogradov, 1958), a quintessential hadal amphipod, was present at the flat bottom of the WZFZ. Further, an mtDNA phylogeny resolved a degree of phylogeographic structure between the B. schellenbergi WZFZ population and four previously sampled Pacific Ocean subduction trench populations, indicating these features are not interconnected through ongoing gene flow. Combined, these data indicate that some amphipods have far broader distributions than previously understood, with some species present in both hadal subduction trenches and non-subduction fracture zones and basins interspersed across the abyssal plains. This initial exploration highlights that whilst non-subduction features are an overlooked minor fraction of the total hadal area, they are essential to our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics across the hadal zone.

The effect of fire on terrestrial amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in a natural grassland community

Fire is known to cause severe and protracted reductions in some invertebrate communities. Amphipods are prone to desiccation and, therefore, litter removal through fire could be expected to have a significant adverse impact on their populations. We aimed to determine the temporal and spatial response patterns in density of amphipods following seasonal fires in a natural grassland site in southern South Island, New Zealand. Fires lit for management purposes in spring are generally cooler and considered less detrimental to the ecosystem than those occurring in hot dry summer conditions. Annual quantitative sampling was used to measure amphipod density in tussock grassland communities before and after single fire treatments were carried out in either spring or summer. Three samples were taken annually before each of the experimental fires, and for 12 years post-treatment. In general, amphipod populations took 7–9 years after treatment to recover to pre-burn densities although densities in spring burnt plots recovered more slowly. Eleven years post-burn, the spatial distribution of amphipods in relation to microhabitat was also examined. Two amphipod species were present, and they were distributed differently in tussock and inter-tussock vegetation and responded differently to fire but not to fire season. A protracted period of recovery from fire for an important member of the detritivore community is likely to have negative impacts on nutrient cycling, and therefore on primary production in grassland systems. The implication for land managers is to avoid burning in spring if soil conditions are relatively dry.

Short-term streambed drying events alter amphipod population structure in a central European stream

Temporary streams are becoming increasingly common, but ecological responses to streambed drying are poorly characterized in the temperate continental region of central Europe. In addition, global research has focused on community responses to drying, whereas effects on individual populations remain unknown. We explored the population structure of Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in a central European temporary stream. Benthic gammarids were sampled on five dates during a flow recession, one date between two drying events (of 10 and 20 days, respectively), and five dates after flow resumed. Additional benthic samples were taken from isolated pools and dry sediments during drying events, and freeze cores were collected to compare the vertical distribution of amphipods during wet and dry phases. Gammarids were measured, adults distinguished from juveniles, adults sexed, and female reproductive state determined. Densities increased during flow recession, potentially reflecting both a decline in submerged habitat availability and seasonal increases in juvenile abundance. Persistence within dry benthic sediments was minimal, whereas pools and saturated subsurface sediments supported high population densities. Juveniles comprised 80 % of the subsurface population, suggesting that their ability to inhabit small interstices promotes persistence within the dry reach. Juveniles also comprised 92 % of pool inhabitants, despite their potential exposure to predation. Adults dominated after flow resumed, and population structure was altered post-drying by the loss of spring-recruited juveniles and reproductive females. Our results suggest that streambed drying may have longer-term effects than typically characterized by community-level studies. We recommend management actions that support populations of ecologically important species as they adapt to changing flow regimes.

Changes in the distribution of amphipods in the Daugava River, Latvia

Scientific information on amphipods and other peracaridan crustaceans in Latvian inland waters is insufficient. Therefore investigations of these animals are indispensable, especially because of the ongoing biological invasions of Ponto-Caspian amphipods causing changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages. Our recent investigation revealed that the alien amphipod Gammarus varsoviensis dominates amphipods in the upper courses of the Daugava River, whereas the other alien amphipod Pontogammarus robustoides prevails in the lower reaches of the river. Both these Ponto-Caspian amphipods were found co-occurring with the indigenous Gammarus pulex in the middle course of the Daugava River upstream from the Pļaviņas Reservoir. We predict that in the future the indigenous G. pulex will be fully exterminated by alien amphipods in the Latvian part of the Daugava River.

A network approach to identify bioregions in the distribution of Mediterranean amphipods associated with Posidonia oceanica meadows.

Although amphipods are key components of the macro-fauna associated with Posidonia oceanica meadows, to date no studies focused on the structure and diversity of their assemblages across the whole Mediterranean Sea. Here, we applied a network approach based on modularity on a dataset mined from literature to identify biogeographic modules and to assess the biogeographic roles of associated localities. We also correlated the patterns evidenced with the biogeographic distribution of amphipod groups by means of a multivariate analysis. Modularity analysis highlighted four biogeographic modules bounded by the main Mediterranean biogeographic divides and evidenced a decrease in species diversity along a NW-SE gradient. Assemblages associated with Central-Western Mediterranean and, to a lesser extent, Tunisian modules showed the highest species richness and were identified as hubs, characterized by species with regional distributions that behave as source in a biogeographic context. The paleogeographic history of the host seagrass and the ecology of associated amphipods, both suggest the joint effect of species persistence and post-Last Glacial Maximum expansion in explaining the pattern of amphipod distribution in the Mediterranean Sea.

Community structure of benthic amphipods in four estuaries of northwest India

This is the first comprehensive study of the community structure and spatial–temporal distribution of amphipods in estuarine sediments of northwest India. Specifically, amphipods from Ulhas, Amba, Kundalika and Savitri estuaries were investigated seasonally to study species composition, distribution, diversity, and functional traits of Amphipods and the influence of hydrographic parameters on community structure. There were fifty-seven taxa, thirty-four genera belonging to nineteen families with Aoridae and Ampeliscidae being the most speciose families. The seasonal variations in abundances were influenced by the population dynamics of the dominant species. Cheiriphotis trifucata, Grandidierella japonica and Podocerus spongicolus were reported for the first time in Indian waters. Most of the amphipod taxa belonged to the functional group that was represented by detritivory and domiculous behaviour (DEDO). Salinity, suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, pH, sediment texture and Corgwere the suite of variables that best explained the estuarine amphipod community structure. The irregular distribution trends of the amphipods in all estuaries were probably due to the low densities of this group.

Species richness and spatial distribution of benthic amphipods (Crustacea: Peracarida) in the Alacranes Reef National Park, Gulf of Mexico

The diversity and distribution of benthic amphipods has been explored in the Alacranes Reef, which is the largest coral reef ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico. New insights into species richness, spatial distribution and extension of geographical ranges are presented by using data from published records and field surveys. A total of 117 species have been recorded, 9 of which are potentially new to science, 39 of which have new geographical records, and 7 are non-indigenous and previously reported in the literature as potentially invasive. Based on the use of a species-richness indicator (Chao 2), the expected species number is 40% higher, up to 200 spp., when compared to the observed species richness. The spatial distribution of amphipods varied significantly as a function of habitat type, showing the highest richness values on coral patches and the major abundances on man-made structures, such as navigation buoys and fishing traps. Multivariate analyses suggested the distinction between three taxonomically diverse species assemblages that showed similar ecological affinities, i.e. those on: (1) soft-bottom environments, grouping bare substrata and seagrass beds habitats; (2) hard-bottom environments, grouping coral patch and reef wall habitats; and (3) artificial substrata. The results highlight the importance of this reef ecosystem for a high amphipod diversity, but it is susceptible to future modifications in the presence of non-indigenous species, potentially invasive, on artificial substrata.

Abundance, distribution, and species composition of amphipods associated with macroalgae from shallow waters of the Maryland Coastal Bays, USA

The abundance, species composition, and distribution of amphipods were investigated in the Maryland Coastal Bays (MCBs) using macroinvertebrate and macroalgae samples collected monthly in 2012 with an epibenthic sled at 13 stations. A total of 34,779 amphipods belonging to 35 species were recorded, the most abundant of which was Dulichiella appendiculata that accounted for ~47% of the total number of amphipods collected. Deutella cf. incerta is recorded for the first time in the MCBs. The highest mean abundance of amphipods (34.8 ± 24.7SE ind m−2) and mean weight of macroalgae (12.91 ± 8.33 SE g ww m−2) were found in the northern bays, particularly in Isle of Wight, whereas the lowest mean abundance of amphipods (0.001 ± 0.001 SE ind m−2) and lowest mean weight of macroalgae (0.004 ± 0.002 SE g ww m−2) were found in southern bays especially in Newport and Chincoteague Bays, respectively. In the northern bays, Agardhiella sp. and Gracilaria sp. were the predominant macroalgae, whereas Ceramium sp. was the most abundant macroalgae in the southern bays. Positive correlations were observed between the abundances of amphipods and macroalgae, both spatially (rs = 0.93, p < 0.001) and temporally (rs = 0.82, p < 0.003), but not with other variables (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, water clarity). Dulichiella appendiculata was found primarily in association with Agardhiella sp. and Gracilaria sp., whereas the caprellids, Paracaprella tenuis and Caprella penantis were associated mainly with Ceramium sp. Macroalgae composition and abundance, therefore, seemed to influence the abundance, species composition and distribution of the amphipods.

Influence of environmental conditions on the distribution of Amphipoda, Talitridae, in the lagoon complex of Ghar El Melh (north‐east of Tunisia)

AbstractThe study of the spatiotemporal distribution of talitrid amphipods was carried out along a transect in three stations belonging to the lagoon complex of Ghar El Melh, namely the supralittoral zones of the old harbour of Ghar El Melh, the opposite to Boughaz and Sidi Ali Mekki lagoon. Four species belonging to Talitridae family with two different genera were identified at all stations. These species are Orchestia gammarellus, Orchestia mediterranea, Orchestia stephenseni and Platorchestia platensis. The first two species were collected during the four seasons. The study of the density showed that the most important global mean density in talitrid was found in the supralittoral zone of opposite to Boughaz. In addition, statistical analysis showed a significant difference in the seasonal distribution of amphipods based on plant associations. Furthermore, the highest diversity of talitrid was observed in the winter in the supralittoral zone of opposite to Boughaz and in summer in the supralittoral zones of Sidi Ali Mekki lagoon and the old harbour of Ghar El Melh. Results showed that at all stations, a highly significant correlation of amphipod community with Cymodocea banquette was observed. Moreover, principal component analysis showed that the distribution of the different species depends on climatic and edaphic factors.

Habitat fragmentation has some impacts on aspects of ecosystem functioning in a sub-tropical seagrass bed

Habitat fragmentation impacts ecosystem functioning in many ways, including reducing the availability of suitable habitat for animals and altering resource dynamics. Fragmentation in seagrass ecosystems caused by propeller scarring is a major source of habitat loss, but little is known about how scars impact ecosystem functioning. Propeller scars were simulated in seagrass beds of Abaco, Bahamas, to explore potential impacts. To determine if plant-herbivore interactions were altered by fragmentation, amphipod grazers were excluded from half the experimental plots, and epiphyte biomass and community composition were compared between grazer control and exclusion plots. We found a shift from light limitation to phosphorus limitation at seagrass patch edges. Fragmentation did not impact top-down control on epiphyte biomass or community composition, despite reduced amphipod density in fragmented habitats. Seagrass and amphipod responses to propeller scarring suggest that severely scarred seagrass beds could be subject to changes in internal nutrient stores and amphipod distribution.

What drives non-native amphipod distributions in the River Thames? The role of habitat and human activity on species abundance

Increasing colonization of non-native amphipod species in the River Thames, United Kingdom, has altered aquatic ecology and called existing management practices into question. We studied the distribution patterns of recent non-native (Dikerogammarus haemobaphes (Eichwald, 1841)), established non-native (Crangonyx pseudogracilis (Bousfield, 1958)), and native amphipod (Gammarus pulex (Linnaeus, 1758)) species, as well as habitat and human influences across 84 sites in the upper Thames catchment. Our findings showed widespread distribution and density of G. pulex relative to D. haemobaphes, suggesting that the full impact of the current spread has yet to be felt since its 2012 introduction. Different habitat utilization patterns are explained through habitat partitioning: both D. haemobaphes and C. pseudogracilis occupied vegetative habitats, not pebble/gravel habitats where the native G. pulex was most often found. The association between D. haemobaphes and boating presence implies that effective biosecurity would be best focused on boat traffic in the Thames and Cherwell rivers.