Abundance And Trophic Diversity Of Intertidal Rocky Shore Molluscs In A Gradient Of Eutrophication Of The Southeast Coast Of Cuba

In tropical ecosystems, the spatial and temporal patterns of the trophic abundance and diversity of molluscs associated with macroalgas have been little addressed. In the present work, the trophic abundance and diversity of molluscs and the relationship with the macroalgas cover in the intertidal rocky shore of Santiago de Cuba were determined. Sampling was performed every two months between March 2013 and February 2014. The sampling unit were a square with a side 25 cm. Sampling unit was used 10 times in the four localities (two of them subjected to eutrophication).The greatest richness of mollusc species belonged to the trophic group of surface browsing herbivores with 19 species. Surface browsing molluscs presented the highest abundance values in all localities (Mar Verde, La Socapa, Aguadores and Siboney) and sampling months (March, May, July, September, November and February). In Aguadores, East of Santiago de Cuba, the greatest trophic diversity, abundance of suspensivoros and carnivores is reported. Macroalgal cover positively modulates the relationship with trophic diversity and abundance of suspensivoros and herbivores that browse thallus.