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Continental-scale patterns in benthic invertebrate diversity: insights from the MacroBen database
Renaud, P.E.; Webb, T.J.; Bjørgesæter, A.; Karakassis, I.; Kedra, M.; Kendall, M.A.; Labrune, C.; Lampadariou, N.; Somerfield, P.J.; Wlodarska-Kowalczuk, M.; Vanden Berghe, E.; Claus, S.; Aleffi, I.F.; Amouroux, J.M.; Bryne, K.H.; Cochrane, S.J.; Dahle, S.; Degraer, S.; Denisenko, S.G.; Deprez, T.; Dounas, C.; Fleischer, D.; Gil, J.; Grémare, A.; Janas, U.; Mackie, A.S.Y.; Palerud, R.; Rumohr, H.; Sardá, R.; Speybroeck, J.; Taboada, S.; Van Hoey, G.; Weslawski, J.M.; Whomersley, P.; Zettler, M.L. (2009). Continental-scale patterns in benthic invertebrate diversity: insights from the MacroBen database. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 382: 239-252. dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps07963
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series. Inter-Research: Oldendorf/Luhe. ISSN 0171-8630; e-ISSN 1616-1599
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open access 148287 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
Authors  Top 
  • Renaud, P.E.
  • Webb, T.J.
  • Bjørgesæter, A.
  • Karakassis, I.
  • Kedra, M.
  • Kendall, M.A.
  • Labrune, C.
  • Lampadariou, N.
  • Somerfield, P.J.
  • Wlodarska-Kowalczuk, M.
  • Vanden Berghe, E.
  • Claus, S.
  • Aleffi, I.F.
  • Amouroux, J.M.
  • Bryne, K.H.
  • Cochrane, S.J.
  • Dahle, S.
  • Degraer, S.
  • Denisenko, S.G.
  • Deprez, T.
  • Dounas, C.
  • Fleischer, D.
  • Gil, J.
  • Grémare, A.
  • Janas, U.
  • Mackie, A.S.Y.
  • Palerud, R.
  • Rumohr, H.
  • Sardá, R.
  • Speybroeck, J.
  • Taboada, S.
  • Van Hoey, G.
  • Weslawski, J.M.
  • Whomersley, P.
  • Zettler, M.L.
Abstract
    Latitudinal clines in species diversity in limnic and terrestrial habitats have been noted for well over a century and are consistent across many taxonomic groups. However, studies in marine systems over the past 2 to 3 decades have yielded equivocal results. We conducted initial analyses of the MarBEF (EU Network of Excellence for Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function) database to test for trends in local and regional diversity over the latitudinal extent of European continental-shelf waters (36° to 81° N). Soft-sediment benthic macrofauna exhibit little evidence of a latitudinal cline in local (a-) diversity measures. Relationships with water depth were relatively strong and complex. Statistically significant latitudinal trends were small and positive, suggesting a modest increase in diversity with latitude once water-depth covariates were removed. These results are consistent regardless of whether subsets of the database were used, replicates were pooled, or component taxonomical groups were evaluated separately. Local and regional diversity measures were significantly and positively correlated. Scientific cooperation through data-sharing is a powerful tool with which to address fundamental ecological and evolutionary questions relating to large-scale patterns and processes.
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