Trophic structure of the molluscan fauna in the inlet of Bano (NW Spain): distribution, ordination and relationship to environmental parameters.

Resumo

The trophic structure ofsoft-bottom molluscs was part ofa larger study carried out on the benthic communities ofthe inlet ofBafro. For this study criteria were established which would differentiate the benthic assemblages ofmolluscs, based on the trophic behaviour and ecology ofspecies. The environment was charactetized relating the distribution ofdifferent trophic categories to environmental parameters by determining the dominance of the different trophic groups in each station, as well as the correlations berween their abundance and environmental parameters. A classification and an ordination analysis using multivariante techniques (Twinspan and Decorana-DCA-, respectively) were also performed. The results showed a numerical predominance of depositivores and suspensivores as compared to the other trophic categories. Depth and granulometry were the most important parameters in the distribution of the different trophic groups.