Algunas comunidades macrobénticas asociadas al manglar <i>(Rhizophora mangle)</i> en laguna de Términos, Golfo de México

Abstract

The composítion of the benthic macrofauna associated with the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) in Términos Lagoon, Mexico, were analyzed together with some ecologicaJ parameters. Five sampling stations, were chosen reflecting the conttasting environmental conditions prevailing in the Lagoon, (marine or freshwater influence). The sampies (0.3 m2 of sediment) were collected at three month intervals between May 1983 and May 1984 with a corer (20 cm in diameter), and sieved through a 0.5 mm mesh screen. We found 3757 organísms of tbree taxa: Polychaeta (22 families, 43 species), Mollusca (11 fanúlies, 17 species) and Crustacea (20 families, 27 species). The polychaetes dominated in each sample. Capitella .. capitata ", Mediomastus califomiensis, Laeonereis culveri, Streblospio benedicti, Lembos sp, Lucína pectinata, Palaemonetes vulgaris, Melínna maculata, Tellina lineata. Xenanthura sp. Tellina altemata tayloriana ami Parandalia vivianneae were the most abundant species, although not present at evety station, presumably because oC the contrasting environmental conditions. The híghest abundances were registered at stations under marine influence, especially during the rainy and winter seasons. Diversity fluctuated at each station; the híghest values were recorded in the southem (2.11 on average) and northeastem (2.06 on average) regions.