Differential sampling in the assessment of conservation and biodiversity merit: a comparison of the seagrass macrofauna in three nearby South African estuaries

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 33(2), P. 509 - 532

Published: Jan. 5, 2024

Abstract To what extent is the relative biodiversity of some flagship conservation sites a result differential attention? Knysna estuarine bay topmost ranked South African estuary for importance and biodiversity. It also one most intensively studied, hence sampling effort could partly be responsible its apparent richness. assess to which this might true, identical area, methodology were employed compare benthic macrofauna specific major habitat ( Zostera capensis seagrass beds) with equivalent ones in two nearby lesser-studied estuaries, Keurbooms/Bitou Swartvlei. Investigation showed all three localities share common species pool, but different elements it dominated shared type each. The adjacent sandflat macrobenthos proved just as biodiverse unprotected Protected Area Knysna, that Swartvlei (also Area) was impoverished comparison, presumably consequent on mouth closure prevailing lower salinity. Despite marked geomorphological hydrological differences, estuaries suite unusual faunal such particularly close similarity suggests historical biogeographic processes. analysis emphasises need caution when assessing or other merits individual systems data-limited environment.

Language: Английский

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Niche appropriation by a widespread nereidid polychaete within estuarine-like modern coastal stromatolite pools

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 300, P. 108708 - 108708

Published: March 7, 2024

Determining how organisms respond to environmental gradients or variability is a central theme in ecology which used predict niche occupation. In this study we assessed the natural population of locally widespread nereidid Ceratonereis (Composetia) keiskama determine whether its broad distribution can be infer generalist autecological niche. This was examined recently discovered estuarine-like stromatolite-forming pools South Africa where polychaete also occurs. Results suggest that neither temperature nor salinity were important predictors C. density, attesting ecophysiological tolerance. Instead, sediment properties correlated with presence estuaries and stromatolite pools, suggests foraging conditions biotic interactions are more drivers. Notably, density on average an order magnitude higher than most species dominant epibenthic macroinvertebrate within sediment, suggesting opportunistic occupation These findings highlight importance linking ranges diverse habitat types, it frames future work should address level connectivity gene transfer between such different environments.

Language: Английский

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The meaning of Benthic Ecological Quality status through a warm temperate South African estuary and in a contained blind-ending marina

Ocean & Coastal Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 262, P. 107550 - 107550

Published: Jan. 24, 2025

Language: Английский

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Macrofaunal Communities Associated with Ecklonia radiata Holdfast Along the Southeast Coast of South Africa

Diversity, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(3), P. 203 - 203

Published: March 12, 2025

Kelp forests are recognized as biodiversity hotspots and ecosystem engineers, while the macroinvertebrates linked with their holdfasts serve markers of pollution ecological environmental change. Notwithstanding evident economic importance this system, no research has been undertaken in South Africa to examine macroinvertebrate community assemblage patterns within Ecklonia radiata holdfast, nor mechanisms driving observed distribution patterns. This study identified compared holdfast-associated across several sites using univariate multivariate approaches, delineated physical factors influencing invertebrate organization. The key findings indicated that abundance exhibited little variations among sites, Dwesa presenting highest average Kob-Inn lowest. Mazeppa greatest species richness, succeeded by Nqabara. Beta diversity measured 0.42, turnover nestedness contributing equally. Xhorha Nqabara largest local contribution beta (LCBD) regarding turnover, whereas demonstrated LCBD terms nestedness. Substantial clustering was observed, each site harbouring a distinct macroinvertebrates. Species discriminated were Zeuxoides helleri, Cirolana venusticauda Amphipholis squamata.

Language: Английский

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Lumbrineris magalhaensis Kinberg, 1865 (Annelida: Lumbrineridae) revealed as two indigenous species in South Africa

African Zoology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 17

Published: March 27, 2025

Language: Английский

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Constancy and change in macrobenthic abundance, biodiversity and assemblage structure along the axis of a flood-tidal sand delta.

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 321, P. 109326 - 109326

Published: April 30, 2025

Language: Английский

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Detecting kelp-forest associated metazoan biodiversity with eDNA metabarcoding

npj Biodiversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(1)

Published: Feb. 21, 2024

Abstract Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising tool for monitoring marine biodiversity, but remains underutilised in Africa. In this study, we evaluated the ability of aquatic eDNA as detecting biodiversity associated with South African kelp forest, an ecosystem that harbours high diversity species, many which are endemic, also sensitive to changing environmental conditions and anthropogenic pressures. Using fine-scale spatial (1 m 8 m) temporal (every four hours 24 h) sampling targeting two gene regions (mtDNA COI 12S rRNA), detected 880 OTUs representing 75 families broader metazoan community 44 fish families. We show extensive variability signal across space time did not recover significant spatio-temporal structure OTU richness assemblages. Metabarcoding broad range taxonomic groups, including arthropods, ascidians, cnidarians, echinoderms, ctenophores, molluscs, polychaetes, ichthyofauna sponges, well Placozoa, previously reported from Fewer than 3% could be identified species level using available databases (COI = 19 OTUs, 11 OTUs). Our study emphasizes kelp-forest Africa understudied, careful consideration design combination increased barcoding efforts construction regional databases, will become powerful biomonitoring biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Gradients and instability: Macrozoobenthic communities in the Benguela Upwelling System off Namibia

Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 291, P. 108421 - 108421

Published: June 30, 2023

Language: Английский

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Site- and habitat-dependent variations in the diversity of polychaetes associated with golden kelp Ecklonia radiata holdfasts along the southeast coast of South Africa

African Journal of Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 46(1), P. 41 - 54

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Polychaetes are important components of the macrofaunal communities associated with golden kelp Ecklonia radiata holdfasts across different spatial scales. However, polychaete component varies in habitat types response to varying environmental conditions. Here, we compared patterns variation holdfast-associated polychaetes between rock pools and gullies along South Africa's southeast coast. Eighteen species were found 28 pools, 13 16 families represented, respectively. The study sites at Cwebe, Dwesa Nqabarha had 12, 11 20 species, more species-rich than gullies, while was most site. composition varied both among sites, a separation observed Cwebe Dwesa. that contributed >60% distinction Lepidonotus semitectus, Cirriformia capensis, Eunice aphroditotis, Syllis sp., Chaetopterus variopedatus, L. durbanensis, Arabella iricolor, Lysidice natalensis Gunnarea gaimardi. distribution on influenced by sediment geomorphological characteristics sampling sites. Our findings highlight importance creating heterogeneity how this facilitates high richness pools. physical factors explained small proportion variance assemblages. Therefore, biological could be drivers abiotic elements, particularly types.

Language: Английский

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Redescription of Arabella iricolor (Montagu, 1804) with descriptions of two new species from the United Kingdom and South Africa

African Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 21

Published: March 25, 2024

AbstractArabella iricolor (Montagu, 1804) was described with no diagnostic information for the characters used today to distinguish species within genus. An updated description, together genetic data, is provided using holotype in conjunction additional specimens collected at or near type locality, facilitate comparative analysis of other Arabella and improve taxonomy can be distinguished primarily through long notopodial cirri that reach beyond prechaetal lobes on chaetigers 1–9, combination unidentate maxilla I both sides, four short digitiform pygidial gradually tapering ventralmost chaetae. The description molecular enabled identification a new co-habiting A. locality elsewhere. species, ampulliformis sp. nov., characterised by two lateral extend into cirri, appearing ampulliform view, bifid left I, right II, A from South Africa also described, umgazanae large chaetae along relating chaetae, mandibles maxillary apparatus. Problems surrounding are discussed details reported region.ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9E60941E-7F95-4327-8884-5A56A5E7F309Keywords: AnnelidaArabella novArabella novpolychaetere-descriptiondistributionCOI16SmorphologyOenonidae

Language: Английский

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