Extrapolative Estimation of Benthic Diatoms (Bacillariophyta)‎ Species Diversity in Different Marine Habitats of the Crimea (Black Sea)‎

Abstract EN

Benthic diatoms species richness was analyzed based on 93 samples collected at 8 areas of Crimea (Black Sea) on sandy/muddy bottoms within depth range 6–48 m.

Totally 433 species were found.

Expected species richness Sexp was estimated by application of Jack-knife -1 and -2, Chao-2, and Karakassis-S∞ estimators.

Magnitude of Sexp, resulted from S∞, displayed the most similar values to the observed species number (Sobs).

Overestimation of Sobs (10–13%) occurred for small number of samples (<12), and slight underestimation (3–5%) occurred when sample numbers exceeded 40–43.

The other estimators gave large overestimated results (Chao—from 21 to 70% higher than Sobs, Jack-knife—23–58%).

The relationship between number of samples (X) and number of observed species (Y) was calculated considering all 93 samples: Y=79.01lnx+34.95.

Accordingly, not less than 10 samples are required for disclosing about 50% of the total species richness (433); to detect 80% (347 species) not less than 46 samples should be considered.

Different configurations of S∞ method were applied to optimize its performance.

The most precise results can be achieved when the calculation of the Sexp is based on sequences of randomized samples with sampling lags of 10 to 15.