| one publication added to basket [40759] | Distribution of three cirolanid isopods (Flabellifera: Cirolanidae) on a South African sandy beach
De Ruyck, A.M.C.; Donn Jr., T.E.; McLachlan, A. (1992). Distribution of three cirolanid isopods (Flabellifera: Cirolanidae) on a South African sandy beach. Cah. Biol. Mar. 33(2): 147-168
In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094, more
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| Keywords |
Topographic features > Landforms > Coastal landforms > Beaches
Cirolanidae Dana, 1852 [WoRMS]; Flabellifera [WoRMS]; Isopoda [WoRMS]
South Africa [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Authors | | Top |
- De Ruyck, A.M.C.
- Donn Jr., T.E.
- McLachlan, A.
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| Abstract |
The vertical zonation pattern of Eurydice longicornis, Pontogeloides latipes and Excirolana natalensis, cirolanid isopods co-existing on Sundays River Beach, was studied, and differed from Dahl's, Salvat's and Trevallion et al.'s schemes. In view of the apparent differences in zonation both in the present study and the literature, the use of cirolanid isopods as indicators of zones is questionable. Environmental factors are suspected to be more important than biological interactions as cause for the observed zonation patterns of the three species. This study suggests longshore distributional differences in the cirolanid isopod populations both on a large scale along a log-spiral bay and on a small scale along a mega-cusp system. Seasonal changes in distribution seem to occur in all three species as well as semilunar zonation changes in E. natalensis. The flexible zonation patterns exhibited by the cirolanid isopods at Sundays River Beach may be an adaptation for survival in the dynamic, unstable conditions of a high energy, microtidal beach. |
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