Macrobenthos ofPotamogeton andMyriophyllum beds in the upper reaches of Canal de Mira (Ria de Aveiro,NW Portugal): Community structure and environmental factors

The community structure of the macrobenthic fauna (>0.5 mm) ofPotamogeton andMyriophyllum beds of the upper reaches of Canal de Mira (0.5–2) and of macrofauna density (369, 240 ind m^–2).Potamopyrgus jenkinsi, Corophium multisetosum andLimnodrilus hoffmeisteri are dominant species in the study area. The community of station 1 includes an important set of taxa usually associated to freshwater habitats (oligochaetes, leeches and insect larvae) whilst in station 3 typically estuarine species (Cyathura carinata, Leptocheirus pilosus, Nereis diversicolor, Streblospio shrubsolii) occur. A succession of peak densities of different taxonomic groups during the year indicates seasonal variation in the community structure. The faunal assemblage of the study area is compared with similar ones in NE Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal systems.