Epiphytic benthic foraminiferal preferences for macroalgal habitats: Implications for coastal warming

Abstract

Considering the thermal limits of coastal macroalgae habitats in the South-Eastern Mediterranean, it is important to study the response of the associated meiofauna to better understand the expected feedback of ecosystems to future warming. In this study, we compared benthic foraminiferal assemblages from two common macroalgal habitats, Turf and Coralline algae, based on ecological monitoring of a thermally polluted station representing near future warming, and an undisturbed environment. None of the common local species is confined to a specific algal habitat. This implies that their existence is not threatened by the disappearance of the Coralline algae. However, most likely their community structure will be impacted with coastal warming. Species that are more affiliated with Coralline algae are highly thermally tolerant, thus their proliferation might be reduced with warming. Specifically, the negative response of Coralline algae to warming may limit the contribution of invasive species such as Pararotalia calcariformata.

Keywords: Algal substrate; Benthic ecology; Benthic foraminifera; Biological interactions; Climate change; South-eastern mediterranean; Thermal pollution.