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Food sources of macrobenthos in an estuarine seagrass habitat (Zostera noltii) as revealed by dual stable isotope signatures
Vafeiadou, A.-M.; Materatski, P.; Adão, H.; De Troch, M.; Moens, T. (2013). Food sources of macrobenthos in an estuarine seagrass habitat (Zostera noltii) as revealed by dual stable isotope signatures. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 160(9): 2517-2523. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2238-0
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open Marine Archive 247402 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
    Zostera subg. Zosterella noltei Hornemann [WoRMS]
    ANE, Portugal, Mira Estuary [Marine Regions]
    Brackish water
Authors  Top 
  • Vafeiadou, A.-M.
  • Materatski, P.
  • Adão, H.
  • De Troch, M.
  • Moens, T.
Abstract
    Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis was used to examine the resources and position of macrobenthos in an estuarine seagrass food web in two sampling moments, during summer and winter. The contribution of each food source to the carbon requirements of consumers was estimated by a mixing model. The used carbon sources were largely seagrass associated, although seagrass tissues were utilized by only few species, and equally contributed to microphytobenthos and suspended particulate organic matter. Based on isotopic data, Lucinidae bivalves have an alternative trophic pathway via symbiosis with chemoautotrophic bacteria. Resource utilization inside and adjacent to seagrass beds did not differ significantly, implying that seagrass-associated inputs extend well beyond the borders of the vegetation patches.
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