Rapoport’s Rule, the Ecotone Concept, and Salinity Gradient Predict the Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in a Southeastern Pacific Estuary
This study explores the biogeographic processes shaping the distribution of benthic foraminifera along a salinity gradient in the Contaco Estuary, southeastern Pacific, Chile. The primary aim was to evaluate the applicability of key ecological paradigms—Rapoport’s rule, the mid-domain effect, ecoton...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Ecologies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4133/6/1/11 |
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| author | Leonardo D. Fernández Margarita Marchant |
| author_facet | Leonardo D. Fernández Margarita Marchant |
| author_sort | Leonardo D. Fernández |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores the biogeographic processes shaping the distribution of benthic foraminifera along a salinity gradient in the Contaco Estuary, southeastern Pacific, Chile. The primary aim was to evaluate the applicability of key ecological paradigms—Rapoport’s rule, the mid-domain effect, ecotones, and source–sink dynamics—to unicellular eukaryotes in estuarine environments. A 1550 m longitudinal transect, sampled at 50 m intervals, revealed a pronounced salinity-driven pattern in species richness and diversity, with calcareous taxa dominating euhaline zones and agglutinated taxa thriving in brackish and freshwater areas. Source–sink dynamics were not supported, as beta diversity analyses identified turnover as the dominant driver, highlighting species replacement along the salinity gradient. Evidence of a longitudinal Rapoport effect was observed, with broader distribution ranges in low-salinity environments, reflecting adaptations to suboptimal conditions. Contrary to predictions, the mid-domain effect was not supported, as foraminiferal richness showed a monotonic decline. These findings extend macroecological principles to microbial communities, emphasizing deterministic processes in shaping estuarine diversity. This research provides a robust framework for understanding biodiversity patterns in dynamic ecosystems, offering valuable insights for conservation and ecological monitoring. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e6fdf9a2b46a4d4e82f9e6b3b8f41add |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-4133 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Ecologies |
| spelling | doaj-art-e6fdf9a2b46a4d4e82f9e6b3b8f41add2025-08-20T03:43:33ZengMDPI AGEcologies2673-41332025-02-01611110.3390/ecologies6010011Rapoport’s Rule, the Ecotone Concept, and Salinity Gradient Predict the Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in a Southeastern Pacific EstuaryLeonardo D. Fernández0Margarita Marchant1Núcleo de Investigación en Sustentabilidad Agroambiental (NISUA), Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Manuel Montt 948, Providencia, Santiago 8320000, ChileDepartamento de Zoología, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, ChileThis study explores the biogeographic processes shaping the distribution of benthic foraminifera along a salinity gradient in the Contaco Estuary, southeastern Pacific, Chile. The primary aim was to evaluate the applicability of key ecological paradigms—Rapoport’s rule, the mid-domain effect, ecotones, and source–sink dynamics—to unicellular eukaryotes in estuarine environments. A 1550 m longitudinal transect, sampled at 50 m intervals, revealed a pronounced salinity-driven pattern in species richness and diversity, with calcareous taxa dominating euhaline zones and agglutinated taxa thriving in brackish and freshwater areas. Source–sink dynamics were not supported, as beta diversity analyses identified turnover as the dominant driver, highlighting species replacement along the salinity gradient. Evidence of a longitudinal Rapoport effect was observed, with broader distribution ranges in low-salinity environments, reflecting adaptations to suboptimal conditions. Contrary to predictions, the mid-domain effect was not supported, as foraminiferal richness showed a monotonic decline. These findings extend macroecological principles to microbial communities, emphasizing deterministic processes in shaping estuarine diversity. This research provides a robust framework for understanding biodiversity patterns in dynamic ecosystems, offering valuable insights for conservation and ecological monitoring.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4133/6/1/11beta diversityforaminifersestuarine gradientmicrobial biogeographymid-domain effectaquatic protists |
| spellingShingle | Leonardo D. Fernández Margarita Marchant Rapoport’s Rule, the Ecotone Concept, and Salinity Gradient Predict the Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in a Southeastern Pacific Estuary Ecologies beta diversity foraminifers estuarine gradient microbial biogeography mid-domain effect aquatic protists |
| title | Rapoport’s Rule, the Ecotone Concept, and Salinity Gradient Predict the Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in a Southeastern Pacific Estuary |
| title_full | Rapoport’s Rule, the Ecotone Concept, and Salinity Gradient Predict the Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in a Southeastern Pacific Estuary |
| title_fullStr | Rapoport’s Rule, the Ecotone Concept, and Salinity Gradient Predict the Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in a Southeastern Pacific Estuary |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rapoport’s Rule, the Ecotone Concept, and Salinity Gradient Predict the Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in a Southeastern Pacific Estuary |
| title_short | Rapoport’s Rule, the Ecotone Concept, and Salinity Gradient Predict the Distribution of Benthic Foraminifera in a Southeastern Pacific Estuary |
| title_sort | rapoport s rule the ecotone concept and salinity gradient predict the distribution of benthic foraminifera in a southeastern pacific estuary |
| topic | beta diversity foraminifers estuarine gradient microbial biogeography mid-domain effect aquatic protists |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4133/6/1/11 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leonardodfernandez rapoportsruletheecotoneconceptandsalinitygradientpredictthedistributionofbenthicforaminiferainasoutheasternpacificestuary AT margaritamarchant rapoportsruletheecotoneconceptandsalinitygradientpredictthedistributionofbenthicforaminiferainasoutheasternpacificestuary |