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MEPS 215:121-131 (2001)
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Abstract
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Physical processes dominate in shaping invertebrate assemblages in reef-associated sediments of an exposed Hawaiian coast
Ralph C. DeFelice1, James D. Parrish2,*
1Hawaii Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Hawaii, 2538 The Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
2Hawaii Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, US Geological Survey, 2538 The Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
*Corresponding author. E-mail: parrishj@hawaii.edu
ABSTRACT: The invertebrate assemblages in sediments bordering exposed fringing reefs at Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii, were examined during July to September 1994. Densities of invertebrate animals larger than 0.5 mm in sediments of the bay ranged from
counts of 10260 m-2 in the fine carbonate sands of the central bay to 870 m-2 in the habitat dominated by terrigenous silt near the reef edge close to the Hanalei river mouth. Similar sediment types supported broadly similar infaunal
communities. Within the primarily carbonate sediments, mean grain size and wave exposure appear to have an important influence on the community. Taxonomic richness, number of individuals, and diversity showed significant negative relationships with
exposure to wave energy (as estimated by sand ripple wavelength). The number of individuals was also significantly correlated with mean grain size. Overall, polychaetes and small crustaceans were numerically dominant among the major taxonomic groups
investigated. Macrophagous and microphagous polychaetes had significant, but opposite, associations with grain size. In addition, microphagous polychaetes were significantly negatively correlated with wave exposure. No habitat variable measured could
explain the variation in percent composition of crustaceans or echinoderms in the sedimentary habitats. The percentage of gastropods in the community was significantly negatively correlated with grain size, grain-size standard deviation and exposure, and
positively with percent organic carbon. Bivalves were significantly positively associated with depth and grain size. These strong relationships imply that, in Hanalei Bay, physical processes are especially important in influencing assemblage structure,
and that community structure and composition vary continuously along environmental gradients.
KEY WORDS: Wave exposure · Sand ripple wavelength · Sediment grain size · Environmental gradients · Numerical abundance · Diversity · Carbonate sediments
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
215
(2001) on May 31
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2001
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