Egyptian journal of aquatic biology and fisheries | 2021
Invertebrate Assemblages Associated with Seaweeds at Different locations in the Red Sea, Egypt
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Macroalgae are essential as a living space and asset of nourishment for macrofauna (Österling & Pihl, 2001; Salovius & Kraufvelin, 2004; Salovius et al., 2005). Crustaceans, molluscs, and polychaetes are the major animal taxa associated with macrophytes (Taylor & Cole, 1994), and information considering their spatial and temporal patterns of abundance is necessary to properly understand marine biological systems. The presence of vegetation permits a greater species diversity and an abundance of individuals than the un-vegetated habitats (Sánchez-Moyano et al., 2007) providing suitable microhabitats, nutritional resources, and protection from predators. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article History: Received: Aug. 30, 2020 Accepted: Jan. 12, 2021 Online: Jan. 26, 2021 _______________