Temporal changes in the structure of the suprabenthic community from Hendaya beach (southern Bay of Biscay): A comparison with a northwestern Mediterranean beach community

Abstract

In 1991-1992, the suprabenthic communities from Hendaya and Creixell beaches (southeastern bay of Biscay and northwestern Mediterranean, respectively) were monthly sampled in order to analyse and compare their qualitative and quantitative structural evolution during an annual cycle. The suprabenthos of Hendaya and Creixell beaches shows a similarity rate of 33.3 % for genera and 11.8 % at the species level, mainly amphipods and mysids. The presence of vicariant especies, especially of the genera Schistomysis, Cumposis and Eurydice indicates a certain degree of biogeographical isolation between the suprabenthos of dissipative type beaches from southeastern Bay of Biscay to northwestern Mediterranean.