Macrofauna associated with galleries of Neoteredo reynei (Bartsch, 1920) (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in Rhizophora mangle Linnaeus trunks during less rainy season in mangrove of São Caetano de Odivelas, Pará (North Coast of Brazil)

Abstract

This study aims to characterize the benthic macrofauna associated with galleries made by Neoteredo reynei in Rhizophora mangle mangroves of the river Mojuim estuary (São Caetano de Odivelas, Pará). Samples were taken during the less rainy period of 2004 (June, July and August) at three sites in the intertidal zone. At every occasion a log of R. mangle in the initial stages of decomposition was removed from each area. During the biological sampling air temperature, pH, salinity and temperature of the water were recorded. Neoteredo reynei was the only Teredinidae (boring mussel) species observed. The macrofauna was composed of 452 individuals, distributed over 31 taxa belonging to the phyla Nemertea (one tax), Mollusca (three taxa), Annelida (six taxa) and Arthropoda (21 taxa). The recorded fauna was typically estuarine, whit the exception of some terrestrial groups. Abundance, richness, diversity and uniformity increased in the course of the dry season, probably reflecting the observed increase of water salinity. The high diversity of the macrofauna recorded in this study reinforces the importance of teredo galleries as a habitat for estuarine organisms and consequently for the functioning of the mangrove ecosystem.