Seasonal Dynamics of Epifauna on Sargassum Beds in Noto Peninsula
Epifaunal communities on seaweeds play key roles in nutrient cycling and biodiversity within temperate rocky reef ecosystems. This study exmined seasonal changes in epifaunal assemblages associated with two brown algae, Sargassum macrocarpum and S. patens, in Tsukumo Bay, Noto Peninsula, Japan. Over the course of one year, the wet weight of both algal species peaked in spring and winter and declined in summer and autumn. Seasonal variation in epifaunal composition was greater than the differences between host species. Caprellid and gammarid amphipods fluctuated in abundance in parallel with algal growth, whereas gastropods remained relatively stable throughout the year. Multivariate analyses revealed distinct seasonal patterns, highlighting a strong coupling between algal phenology and epifaunal dynamics that shape coastal community structure. As the study area was later affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, these findings provide valuable baseline data for assessing post-earthquake changes in coastal ecosystems.
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