Spatial and temporal patterns of platyhelminth assemblages in intertidal sediments of northeast Australia

The distribution of Platyhelminthes was surveyed along two transects in tid al flats of the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia, in May 1990 and S eptember 1991. Species numbers and densities as well as individual abundanc es and diversity increased from the high towards the low intertidal in rela tion to sediment composition. Along this gradient, platyhelminth assemblage s of low intertidal sandflats, muddy sandflats and mudflats were distinguis hed with multivariate analyses. The distribution pattern was affected by th e sediment parameter, and also by interactions with macrofauna. Sampling an d analysis of the platyhelminth assemblage in tidal flats of Hinchinbrook C hannel over time (November 1988 to October 1991) revealed annual and intera nnual variation, but no seasonality.