Terrestrial arthropod in tidal marshes and adjacent landscapes of the SW-Atlantic coast

Abstract

Abundance of arthropods was recorded in four salt marshes (Marsh) and their adjacent inland environments (Inland) at four sites along the southwestern Atlantic coast. The sampled sites, from north to south, were San Clemente (SC: 36°22' S), Punta Alta (PA: 38°41' S), Bahía Anegada (BA: 39°48' S), and Bahía San Antonio (BSA: 40°42' S). Values are expressed as abundances normalized to sampling days, with arthropods identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. METHODS Sampling was conducted during each climatic season at each study site in 2011. At each site, a transect parallel to the shoreline was established, with 10 pitfall traps placed 10 meters apart in the high marsh environment. A similar transect was set up in the adjacent terrestrial environment. Both transects were positioned at least 25 meters from the boundary between the marsh and terrestrial environments to avoid edge effects. Traps were active for 2 to 5 days per sampling event, depending on climatic conditions and astronomical tides.