Fantastic Flatworms and Where to Find Them: Insights into Intertidal Polyclad Flatworm Distribution in Southeastern Australian Boulder Beaches
There is a rapid and extensive decline of our marine biodiversity due to human impacts. However, our ability to understand the extent of these effects is hindered by our lack of knowledge of the occurrence and ecology of some species groups. One such group of understudied organisms are marine flatwo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/3/393 |
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| author | Louise Tosetto Justin M. McNab Pat A. Hutchings Jorge Rodríguez Jane E. Williamson |
| author_facet | Louise Tosetto Justin M. McNab Pat A. Hutchings Jorge Rodríguez Jane E. Williamson |
| author_sort | Louise Tosetto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There is a rapid and extensive decline of our marine biodiversity due to human impacts. However, our ability to understand the extent of these effects is hindered by our lack of knowledge of the occurrence and ecology of some species groups. One such group of understudied organisms are marine flatworms of the order Polycladida, a conspicuous component of southeastern Australia’s marine ecosystems that has received little attention over the years. Intertidal boulder beaches support a diverse range of polyclad flatworms in other countries, but the role of these environments in maintaining biodiversity is not well understood. In this study, we identified hotspots of flatworm occurrence by assessing the diversity and overall abundance of flatworms at boulder beaches along the southeast Australian coast. Bottle and Glass, Sydney Harbour, was found to be the most diverse site for flatworms. We also identified a higher occurrence of flatworms under large boulders and less exposed beaches and noted an increased presence of flatworms at higher latitudes. Probable influences on these patterns such as the requirement for shelter and protection are discussed. This study contributes to our knowledge of Australia’s coastal biodiversity and can be used to assist in the management and conservation of our marine environments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:40:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-15ee808e1e0f49bab0c955bffaceefcc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:40:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-15ee808e1e0f49bab0c955bffaceefcc2023-11-17T10:38:02ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182023-03-0115339310.3390/d15030393Fantastic Flatworms and Where to Find Them: Insights into Intertidal Polyclad Flatworm Distribution in Southeastern Australian Boulder BeachesLouise Tosetto0Justin M. McNab1Pat A. Hutchings2Jorge Rodríguez3Jane E. Williamson4Marine Ecology Group, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, AustraliaMarine Ecology Group, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, AustraliaMarine Ecology Group, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, AustraliaMarine Ecology Group, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, AustraliaMarine Ecology Group, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, AustraliaThere is a rapid and extensive decline of our marine biodiversity due to human impacts. However, our ability to understand the extent of these effects is hindered by our lack of knowledge of the occurrence and ecology of some species groups. One such group of understudied organisms are marine flatworms of the order Polycladida, a conspicuous component of southeastern Australia’s marine ecosystems that has received little attention over the years. Intertidal boulder beaches support a diverse range of polyclad flatworms in other countries, but the role of these environments in maintaining biodiversity is not well understood. In this study, we identified hotspots of flatworm occurrence by assessing the diversity and overall abundance of flatworms at boulder beaches along the southeast Australian coast. Bottle and Glass, Sydney Harbour, was found to be the most diverse site for flatworms. We also identified a higher occurrence of flatworms under large boulders and less exposed beaches and noted an increased presence of flatworms at higher latitudes. Probable influences on these patterns such as the requirement for shelter and protection are discussed. This study contributes to our knowledge of Australia’s coastal biodiversity and can be used to assist in the management and conservation of our marine environments.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/3/393Polycladidaecologybiodiversitymarine ecosystems |
| spellingShingle | Louise Tosetto Justin M. McNab Pat A. Hutchings Jorge Rodríguez Jane E. Williamson Fantastic Flatworms and Where to Find Them: Insights into Intertidal Polyclad Flatworm Distribution in Southeastern Australian Boulder Beaches Diversity Polycladida ecology biodiversity marine ecosystems |
| title | Fantastic Flatworms and Where to Find Them: Insights into Intertidal Polyclad Flatworm Distribution in Southeastern Australian Boulder Beaches |
| title_full | Fantastic Flatworms and Where to Find Them: Insights into Intertidal Polyclad Flatworm Distribution in Southeastern Australian Boulder Beaches |
| title_fullStr | Fantastic Flatworms and Where to Find Them: Insights into Intertidal Polyclad Flatworm Distribution in Southeastern Australian Boulder Beaches |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fantastic Flatworms and Where to Find Them: Insights into Intertidal Polyclad Flatworm Distribution in Southeastern Australian Boulder Beaches |
| title_short | Fantastic Flatworms and Where to Find Them: Insights into Intertidal Polyclad Flatworm Distribution in Southeastern Australian Boulder Beaches |
| title_sort | fantastic flatworms and where to find them insights into intertidal polyclad flatworm distribution in southeastern australian boulder beaches |
| topic | Polycladida ecology biodiversity marine ecosystems |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/3/393 |
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