Amphipod Data derived from Bon Accord Lagoon, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Attish Kanhai

doi:10.15468/y4wwy8

Amphipod Data derived from Bon Accord Lagoon, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Citation

Kanhai A (2023). Amphipod Data derived from Bon Accord Lagoon, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago. Version 1.1. Institute of Marine Affairs. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/y4wwy8 accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-06-25.

Description

This dataset reports new records and range extensions of 60 species of amphipods from 39 genera of amphipoda that were not previously described among Thalassia testudinum beds at Bon Accord Lagoon (BAL) Tobago. Amphipods were obtained from sampling efforts conducted in BAL over two sampling periods in the wet and dry seasons of 2018, the majority from discrete seagrass bed microhabitats. Sampling involved immersing a 15cm diameter corer to a depth of 10 cm and using a rubber bung at the top of the device to create a vacuum. Core samples were sieved in the field using a 0.5mm mesh screen. Samples were stained with Rose Bengal and preserved with a 10% formalin-seawater mixture. Benthic samples were sorted by hand and all macrofaunal species were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level This study increases the number of amphipods on record from Trinidad and Tobago to 60.

Purpose

The study of amphipods in Trinidad and Tobago is still in its infancy and as such the numbers are still incomparable to those from the South American mainland. However, an increase in sampling efforts may lead to an increase in the number of species described which would lead to the amphipod assemblages more closely resembling that of the South American countries. This study provides a baseline for further studies to build on the complex and diverse world of marine benthic amphipods in Trinidad and Tobago.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

Amphipod samples were collected among seagrasses within the Bon Accord Lagoon during two sampling periods, March and September 2018, the dry and wet seasons respectively, using a handheld PVC corer. The distance between the furthest samples is 1773.37 meters.

Sampling

In total four sampling days were conducted, two within the dry season and two within the wet season. March and September are usually the zenith of dry and wet seasons respectively, hence their selection for sampling. Given budget and time constraints six stations were the most practical for this study. Physiochemical variables - pH, Salinity, Temperature, and Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels were recorded using a YSI multi-parameter meter. Buccoo Benthic Sampling Stations. The six location were as follows: Decimal Degrees Stations Longitude Latitude 1 -60.824002 11.177465 2 -60.821225 11.174719 3 -60.819746 11.173345 4 -60.826948 11.167264 5 -60.831886 11.167515 6 -60.83529 11.168938

Method steps

The Natural Geography in Shore Areas (NaGISA) protocol for sampling seagrass infauna was used which involved immersing a 15 cm diameter corer to a depth of 10 cm and using a rubber bung at the top of the device to create a vacuum. This was later confirmed by sampling conducted in the present study with a plateauing of species richness after five replicates. Sites within the BAL and sites outside were selected in order to test the hypothesis that those within the BAL would be subjected to some level of influence by land-based sources of pollution seasonally. Sediment cores were passed through a 0.5 mm sieve and rinsed with seawater. After sieving, the amphipods were carefully separated, preserved in 5–7 % formalin, labeled, and stored for further examination. In the laboratory, the samples were rewashed under freshwater and 5–7 % formalin containing Rose Bengal was added. Identification of amphipods up to the species/ genus level was done with a binocular microscope.

Taxonomic Coverages

N/A

Bateidae
rank: family
Cyproideidae
rank: family
Arthropoda
rank: phylum
Amphilochidae
rank: family
Apseudidae
rank: family
Dexaminidae
rank: family
Megaluropidae
rank: family
Aoridae
rank: family
Maeridae
rank: family
Amphipoda
rank: order
Tanaidacea
rank: order
Isaeidae
rank: family
Ampeliscidae
rank: family
Ischyroceridae
rank: family
Phoxocephalidae
rank: family
Hyalidae
rank: family
Caprellidae
rank: family
Malacostraca
rank: class
Gammaridae
rank: family
Platyischnopidae
rank: family
Lysianassidae
rank: family
Animalia
rank: kingdom

Geographic Coverages

Bon Accord Lagoon, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, is approximately 32 km on the northeastern side of Trinidad.

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Attish Kanhai
originator
position: Research Officer
Institute of Marine Affairs
Hilltop Lane
Chaguaramas
TT
Telephone: 8686344291
email: akanhai@ima.gov.tt
homepage: https://www.ima.gov.tt/
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7410-6903

Paul Nelson
publisher
position: Data Officer
Institute of Marine Affairs
Hilltop Lane
Chaguaramas
TT
Telephone: 8686344291
email: pnelson@ima.gov.tt
homepage: https://www.ima.gov.tt
userId: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6221-4600

Institute of Marine Affairs
administrative point of contact
position: Data Officer
Institute of Marine Affairs
Hilltop Lane
Chaguaramas
TT
Telephone: 8686344291
email: pnelson@ima.gov.tt
homepage: https://www.ima.gov.tt/