Trophic structure of macrobenthic communities on the Portuguese coast. A review of lagoonal, estuarine and rocky littoral habitats

This work is based on a compilation and treatment of data obtained on several studies regarding the macrobenthos trophic structure, carried out in different habitats of the Portuguese coast: a lagoon, rocky subtidal shores and estuarine eelgrass beds. Macrobenthic organisms were assigned to four distinct trophic groups (filter feeders, detritivores, herbivores and carnivores). Detritivores were the dominant trophic group in soft-bottom communities. Filter feeders dominated in subtidal rocky shores while eelgrass communities were equally represented by detritivores and herbivores. Current intensity and sediment deposition are discussed as factors affecting the observed distribution. Nevertheless, different sampling methods used in these studies and the lack of information on feeding habits of some species can also influence the results obtained. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.