ABSTRACT Rhodolith beds (RBs) are known to increase the seabed complexity and act as a hotspot, supporting a unique biodiversity. This increased structural complexity due to the presence of rhodolith nodules is expected to influence benthic diversity at a local scale. To investigate this further, we tested the hypothesis that high‐density rhodolith beds hold higher meiofaunal diversity than low‐density beds. We used metabarcoding (V9 hypervariable region from 18S SSU rRNA) on sediment samples from a region with extensive rhodolith beds in the Eastern Brazil Marine Ecoregion, with distinct areas covered by high‐ and low‐density beds. The sediment underneath high‐density beds showed higher food availability (biopolymeric carbon) and organic matter quality (protein content and protein‐to‐carbohydrate ratio); however, meiofaunal composition and phylogenetic diversity was similar among all rhodolith beds sampled in the study area. Shannon's diversity was lower in high‐density beds, which may be attributed to the higher organic matter content and quality supporting strong competitors, such as crustaceans and annelids that may dominate and suppress the presence of other meiofaunal taxa. Our results showed that rhodolith beds host a number of meiofaunal zoobenthos that are rarely sampled with traditional morphology‐based methods, and we suggest that metabarcoding may become an important complementary method to study rhodolith beds globally. As assessing biodiversity is a prerequisite for any conservation measures, this study can provide insights when managing valuable marine habitats.

Gabriel C. Coppo

Sergio A. Netto

Fabiano S. Pais

Ana Carolina A. Mazzuco

Ken M. Halanych

Angelo F. Bernardino

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems

AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 是一本国际期刊，致力于发表与淡水、咸水或海洋栖息地特别相关的原创论文，并鼓励跨越这些生态系统的工作。该杂志提供了一个论坛，可以展示和讨论水生生物资源保护的各个方面，从而在解决水生资源保护问题方面加强合作和效率。

Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems is an international journal dedicated to publishing original research papers specifically related to freshwater, brackish, or marine habitats. The journal encourages work that spans these ecosystems and provides a forum to showcase and discuss various aspects of aquatic biological resource conservation, thereby enhancing collaboration and efficiency in addressing aquatic resource conservation issues.

《Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems》是一本国际期刊，专注于发表与淡水、咸水及海洋栖息地相关的原创研究论文。该期刊鼓励跨越不同生态系统的研究，提供一个展示和讨论水生生物资源保护各个方面的平台，以促进在解决水生资源保护问题上的合作与效率。

Category	Quartile
环境科学与生态学	3
环境科学与生态学, 海洋与淡水生物学	2
环境科学与生态学, 环境科学	3
环境科学与生态学, 水资源	3

Metabarcoding Reveals Meiofaunal Diversity in Rhodolith Beds From SE Brazil

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
WATER RESOURCES	2