Faunal turnover between meso- and infralittoral algal turf assemblages: A case study in a highly biodiverse Marine Protected Area of the northern Alboran Sea (W Mediterranean)

The molluscan fauna inhabiting the algal turfs of mesolittoral rocky outcrops, dominated by coralline alga Ellisolandia elongata, has been quantitatively analysed in a Marine Protected Area Málaga, southern Spain (W Mediterranean). A total 2520 mollusc specimens belonging to 46 species were identified. This taxocenosis was compared that previously studied from infralittoral level, where Halopteris scoparia prevailing and 4084 66 Mollusca found. Pisinna glabrata, Skeneopsis planorbis, Nodulus spiralis Tricolia miniata stage. occurrence congeneric pairs (Tricolia miniata/Tricolia pullus, spiralis/Nodulus contortus) which achieve high abundance one levels are scarce or absent other striking. Therefore, turf lower part intertidal zone is not just an extension “Photophilous Algae” community but benthic its own.