Who lives where and why – a look at the benthic fauna of the demersal trawl grounds off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Everett, B.I.; Fennessy, S.T. (2025). Who lives where and why – a look at the benthic fauna of the demersal trawl grounds off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Western Indian Ocean J. Mar. Sci. Spec. Issue 1: 49-66. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/wiojms.si2025.1.4
In: Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science. Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA): Zanzibar. ISSN 0856-860X, meer
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| Author keywords |
marine biodiversity, demersal trawling, seabed, average taxonomic distinctness |
| Auteurs | | Top |
- Everett, B.I.
- Fennessy, S.T.
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| Abstract |
The biodiversity of the east coast of South Africa differs markedly from that of the rest of the
marine environment of the country. Data from commercial crustacean trawls were used in con-
junction with environmental data to investigate biodiversity patterns of offshore habitats off
the KwaZulu-Natal coast. Biodiversity was measured using taxa observed (genus and species)
and average taxonomic distinctness. Community assemblages were determined through clus-
tering, analysis of similarities and similarity percentage analysis. Factors influencing biodiver-
sity were position on the continental margin (littoral/slope), location along the coast, turbidity
and temperature. These were the same factors that influenced the community assemblages.
Crustaceans were the most frequently occurring taxa followed by teleost fishes. This reflected
the nature of the local trawl fisheries that target crustacean species. The community assem-
blages at the locations included in the study were highly dissimilar to each other and clear
transitions in assemblages were obvious as depth increased. Substantial disparities in sampling
effort reduced options for in depth analysis. This leaves scope to expand this work both through
increased sampling in under-sampled areas but also to investigate areas with higher sampling
effort more fully. |
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