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Structure of benthic macroinvertebrates and dynamics in the northern lagoon of Tunis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2009

S. Tlig-Zouari ,
T. Mami  and
F. Maamouri
S. Tlig-Zouari*
Affiliation:
Research Unit of Biology, Ecology and Parasitology of Aquatic Organisms, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University Campus, El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
T. Mami
Affiliation:
Research Unit of Biology, Ecology and Parasitology of Aquatic Organisms, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University Campus, El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
F. Maamouri
Affiliation:
Research Unit of Biology, Ecology and Parasitology of Aquatic Organisms, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University Campus, El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: S. Tlig-Zouari, Research Unit of Biology, Ecology and Parasitology of Aquatic Organisms, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University Campus, El Manar, 2092 Tunis, Tunisia email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Sampling data on abiotic parameters and benthic communities in the northern lagoon of Tunis were obtained seasonally from November 1999 to November 2000. Abiotic parameters studied revealed evident improvement of water quality compared with previous. Indeed, management has re-established a tidal marine influence (Gulf of Tunis), induced a remarkable change in physico-chemical parameters and as a consequence, a regulation of the lagoon environmental quality. A total of 90 species of benthic macroinvertebrates, belonging to seven different taxa were collected in the northern lagoon of Tunis. A comparison of ecological indices indicate significant variations in the spatial and seasonal distribution and structure of the benthic community and reflect changes that might be related to open marine water and climatic influences as well as effects of discharge of the neighbouring city. Generally, the lagoon macrobenthic community appeared to be better structured, richer and more diverse than the one described before sanitation works began. However, significant disturbance of the benthic communities is detected in the south-eastern lagoon zone (C) and is dominated by disturbance indicator species. In contrast, the Station A2 which is sufficiently influenced by marine currents, is dominated by species of marine affinity and indicates an undisturbed zone. Multivariate analysis indicates heterogeneity in the benthic community structure between stations and suggests that the most significant variations of abundance occur in the groups: Anthozoa, Placophora, Cephalopoda, Ascidia and Echinodermata. The results of correspondence analysis also testify to a gradational distribution of benthic species in relation to hydrological and edaphic (organic matter) factors.

Keywords

macroinvertebratespollutionsanitation worksbiodiversitylagoon of Tunis
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 89 , Issue 7 , November 2009 , pp. 1305 - 1318
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

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