Structure and dynamics of the community associated to cultivated Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (Gracilariaceae) in Chacopata, Sucre, Venezuela. I: Faunistic inventory

The associated fauna of Gracilariopsis tenuifrons (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophy ta) cultures was collected between October 1994 and December 1996 in Chacop ata (Sucre State, Venezuela) and preserved in 10% formaldehyde. The species list includes 17 Crustacea, 14 Mollusca and six Polychaeta, the remaining taxa added ten species (total 47 species in eight Phyla). Grazing by mesohe rbivores affected the algae and the mollusk Aplysia protea damaged new cult ures significantly. The abundance of tubes built by the amphipod Euricthoni us brasiliensis impairs algal aspect and facilitates colonization by other organisms.