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<p>This study describes the community associated with the exogenous material covering the column of the sea anemone <i>Aulactinia marplatensis</i>, analyzes its composition and diversity, and compares it between two intertidal zones-Las Delicias and Punta Cantera- along the coast of Mar del Plata, Argentina. Over a two-year period, ten individuals of <i>A. marplatensis</i> were seasonally collected at each site; the seasons considered were summer, autumn, winter and spring. The exogenous covering was removed and the associated organisms were identified under a stereoscopic microscope. MDS, PERMANOVA and SIMPER analyses were used to assess differences in community composition, and a two-way ANOVA was applied to compare Simpson’s diversity index between sites and seasons. A total of 22 species were recorded, with syllid polychaetes, mytilids, amphipods and nemerteans as dominant groups. While overall diversity did not differ significantly between sites or seasons, species composition varied both spatially and seasonally. Spatial differences may be due to the higher organic enrichment and contamination exhibited by Las Delicias. Seasonal variations are consistent with previous studies conducted in the study sites and could respond to the reproductive cycles of the species. Our findings support the hypothesis that <i>A. marplatensis</i> functions as an autogenic ecosystem engineer by providing habitat and shelter for a diverse array of associated fauna, including juvenile stages, and highlight its potential role in facilitating habitat complexity within the intertidal zone.</p>

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The sea anemone Aulactinia marplatensis as microhabitat: structure and variation of its associated community

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月20日

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  • Stefanía M. Erralde,
  • Agustín Garese,
  • Fabián H. Acuña

摘要

This study describes the community associated with the exogenous material covering the column of the sea anemone Aulactinia marplatensis, analyzes its composition and diversity, and compares it between two intertidal zones-Las Delicias and Punta Cantera- along the coast of Mar del Plata, Argentina. Over a two-year period, ten individuals of A. marplatensis were seasonally collected at each site; the seasons considered were summer, autumn, winter and spring. The exogenous covering was removed and the associated organisms were identified under a stereoscopic microscope. MDS, PERMANOVA and SIMPER analyses were used to assess differences in community composition, and a two-way ANOVA was applied to compare Simpson’s diversity index between sites and seasons. A total of 22 species were recorded, with syllid polychaetes, mytilids, amphipods and nemerteans as dominant groups. While overall diversity did not differ significantly between sites or seasons, species composition varied both spatially and seasonally. Spatial differences may be due to the higher organic enrichment and contamination exhibited by Las Delicias. Seasonal variations are consistent with previous studies conducted in the study sites and could respond to the reproductive cycles of the species. Our findings support the hypothesis that A. marplatensis functions as an autogenic ecosystem engineer by providing habitat and shelter for a diverse array of associated fauna, including juvenile stages, and highlight its potential role in facilitating habitat complexity within the intertidal zone.