Factors Affecting the Distribution and Diversity of Polychaetes in Amivrakikos Bay, Greece

Abstract. The polychaetc fauna was studied in 18 soft-bottom stations in Amvrakikos Bay of the Ionian Sea. Of the 146 species found many had single occurrences, which caused low similarity between stations. Mixing and renewal of water influenced the distribution of species and feeding types of polychaetes, while their diversity correlated with sedimentary structure. Water depth was the factor which accounted for the greatest variability in the data, whereas salinity had no discernible effect on the polychaetc fauna.