Pedro A. Quijón

Quijón, P. (2004) ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Exploratory and experimental studies were undertaken on crustacean predators and sedimentary infauna in Bonne Bay, Newfoundland. Predator distribution and recruitment were monitored by sampling five stations along the bay, and their interactions with infaunal organisms, evaluated with field and laboratory experiments. Experimental results indicate that i) crustacean predators contribute to benthic composition, density, and in some cases diversity, ii) there is spatial variation in the effects of predation, and iii) at least two predators in the bay (snow crab: Chionoecetes opilio, and rock crab: Cancer irroratus) have significant and distinct effects on benthic community structure. These results also suggest that given the historical changes in predator composition due to over-fishing, parallel community changes may be taking place in North Atlantic benthic ecosystems.

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