To understand the characteristics and distribution of benthic shellfish communities in the vicinity of the Nanji Islands, we conducted bottom trawl surveys in the surrounding waters during October 2022 (autumn) and March 2023 (spring). The findings reveal that a total of 49 benthic shellfish species were captured, spanning 2 classes, 6 orders, and 17 families. During spring, the average abundance of benthic shellfish was (2 429 ± 2 038) ind./Agt, with an average biomass of (4 849.79 ± 2 513.84) g/Agt. In autumn, the average abundance was (1 149 ± 1 589) ind./Agt, with an average biomass of (4 985.30 ± 2 159.23) g/Agt. The primary dominant species comprised Turritella bacillum, Murex trapa, Tegillarca nodifera, Inquisitor jeffreysii, Bufonaria rana, Cancellaria sinensis and Trigonaphera bocageana. Notably, Turritella bacillum emerged as a dominant species in both spring and autumn, with dominance significantly surpassing that of other species. The dominance of benthic shellfish communities in this marine area appears relatively stable, with the community’s functionality and nature being primarily governed by a select few species. This study provides a reference basis for the dynamic changes in the marine ecosystem of the Nanji Islands and offers foundational data for the protection of marine ecological environments.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |