We examined the abundance and diversity of seagrass leaf meiofauna, with special emphasis on harpacticoid copepods (Crustacea), in Thalassodendron ciliatum seagrass meadows differing in structural attributes (complexity) in terms of shoot density, canopy, and epiphytic microalgae as well as environmental variables (nutrients). Higher biomass of epiphytic microalgae was observed in study sites with lower shoot density and canopy height. Further, our results showed that seagrass leaf meiofauna assemblages (including harpacticoid copepods) were positively correlated with epiphytic microalgae and water nutrients but negatively correlated to seagrass variables (seagrass cover, shoot density, and canopy height). Our study revealed that food resources were the major determinant of the abundance and diversity of seagrass leaf meiofauna assemblages in these meadows. In contrast to our expectations, meiofauna abundance was negatively associated with seagrass density and canopy height. Thus, the findings indicate that variation in seagrass habitats may, in turn, influence the distribution, community structure, and functioning of epiphytic communities. We suggest that habitat quality depends on the substrate’s longevity supporting epiphytic microalgal biomass that serves as a food source for seagrass leaf meiofauna communities. |
