| Abstract: | Samples were taken in fine-sand community of the North Latium coast in February and September for two years. Eigthy-eight species of Polychaetes were identified. The most abundant was Owenia fusiformis which was highly correlated to the clay fraction in the sediments. Species richness and abundance of other polychaete species were related to the abundance of this tubicolous species which provides a spatial refuge from predators and implements sediment stability. There was a persistency in the community structure in spite of seasonal fluctuations in the abundance of dominant species. |
