SOME MACROBENTHIC COMMUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MANGROVE IN THE TERMINOS LAKE, GULF-OF-MEXICO

The composition of the benthic macrofauna associated with the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) in Terminos Lagoon, Mexico, were analyzed together with some ecological parameters. Five sampling stations, were chosen reflecting the contrasting environmental conditions prevailing in the Lagoon, (marine or freshwater influence). The samples (0.3 m(2) of sediment) were collected at three month intervals between May 1983 and May 1984 with a corer (20 cm in diameter), and sieved through a 0.5 mm mesh screen. We found 3757 organisms of three taxa: Polychaeta (22 families, 43 species), Mollusca (11 families, 17 species) and Crustacea (20 families, 27 species). The polychaetes dominated in each sample. Capitella ''capitata'' Mediomastus californiensis, Laeonereis culveri, Streblospio benedicti, Lembos sp, Lucina pectinata Palaemonetes vulgaris, Melinna maculata, Tellina lineata Xenanthura sp, Tellina alternata tayloriana and Parandalia vivianneae were the most abundant species, although not present at every station, presumably because of the contrasting environmental conditions. The highest abundances were registered at stations under marine influence, especially during the rainy and winter seasons. Diversity fluctuated at each station; the highest values were recorded in the southern (2.11 on average) and northeastern (2.06 on average) legions.