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Molluscs on subtidal cliffs: patterns of spatial distribution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2003

A. Terlizzi ,
D. Scuderi ,
S. Fraschetti ,
P. Guidetti  and
F. Boero
A. Terlizzi
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Zoology and Marine Biology, Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology (DiSTeBA), University of Lecce, I-73100 Lecce, Italy
D. Scuderi
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Biology, University of Catania, CoNISMa, 68124, Catania, Italy
S. Fraschetti
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Lecce, CoNISMa, 73100, Lecce, Italy
P. Guidetti
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Lecce, CoNISMa, 73100, Lecce, Italy
F. Boero
Affiliation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Lecce, CoNISMa, 73100, Lecce, Italy
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Abstract

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The distribution of molluscan assemblages across and along a vertical rocky cliff near Otranto (southern Adriatic Sea, Italy) was studied. Sampling was undertaken in May and November 2000 at three sites approximately 100 m apart. Three depths (5, 15, 25 m) were sampled at each site, by scraping off three replicate 20×20 cm quadrats. Samples yielded 6722 specimens, referred to as 133 species. Multivariate analyses showed that the structure of the assemblages significantly differed among depths with a clear gradient of distribution from shallow to deep stands. However, a considerable variation in the structure of the assemblage was also observed among sites at each of the three depths. The species contributing most to characterize depths and/or differentiating sites at each level of the shore were identified. Some potential causes of the observed differences are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 83 , Issue 1 , February 2003 , pp. 165 - 172
Copyright
© 2003 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom