Ecological patterns of polychaete assemblages associated with the Mediterranean stony coral Cladocora caespitosa (Linnaeus, 1767): a comparison of sites in two biogeographic zones (Adriatic and Aegean Sea)

The Mediterranean stony coral Cladocora caespitosa (Linnaeus, 1767) is a well-known habitat builder, and as such hosts diversified faunal assemblage. Although polychaetes are one of the most abundant diverse macrobenthic groups associated with C. colonies, our knowledge their ecological features in this association still limited. aim paper was to gather compare comprehensive data available on Adriatic Aegean Seas, test for differences between these geographic areas. To end, were tested terms of: (i) richness structure polychaete assemblages; (ii) feeding functional traits (iii) main factors influencing those aspects, (iv) relationship assemblages colony size, estimate richness. Differences observed richness, species composition relative proportion dominant guild (filter feeders carnivores Adriatic) motility mode (sessile motile Adriatic). Conversely, cosmopolitan Atlanto-Mediterranean dominated both areas, same Species-Area Relation model proved be effective estimation