Habitat Complexity and Seasonal Variation Factors Shape the Polychaete Assemblies Associated with the Holdfast of Lessonia berteroana

Abstract

Lessonia berteroana is a structuring macroalga that houses a high diversity of benthic invertebrates in southeastern Pacific rocky ecosystems. The present study assessed the diversity and structure of the community of polychaetes associated with the holdfast of L. berteroana at two sites on the South Peruvian coastline in order to determine whether higher biodiversity is related to the protected area, Punta Coles National Reserve (PCNR), compared to the exploited site, Tres Hermanas Beach (THP) in Ilo, Peru, during the winter and spring of 2023. In the study period, a total of 72 holdfasts were collected, with a minimum diameter of 20 cm selected for sampling. In PCNR, 19 taxa and 14 families were recorded, whereas in THP, 13 taxa and 11 families were recorded. The ecological indices revealed greater species richness and diversity in PCNR during the spring. Additionally, spatial and seasonal differences in the composition of the community were observed. The results highlight the importance of the holdfasts of L. berteroana as reservoirs of benthic biodiversity on the southern coast of Peru.