Influência do hidrodinamismo e de complexidade do substrato algal na distribuição de anfípodes caprelídeos (crustacea), em Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract

The caprelids are benthic marine benthic crustaceans that commonly use as substrate algae, hydrozoans and sponges, as well as sediments. Its distribution can be influenced by factors such as hydrodynamics and structural characteristics of macrophytes.The aim of this study is to evaluate the mesoscale distribution patterns of associated caprelids with Sargassum brown algae, their relation with environmental parameters and algal substrate characteristics. Two sectors with different levels of wave exposure were delimited in one shore, where Sargassum samples were collected. Some studies show that hydrodynamism and water turbidity can cause changes in the dynamics of these communities. The results show that hydrodynamic differences between sectors of the same coast can result in a significant variation of the Sargassum biomass and epibionte hydrozoans. However, the same was not observed in relation to the total biomass of epiphytic algae and the richness and abundance of caprellidae. The response variation of the species may be associated with hydrodinamism, as well as its morphology and feeding habit.