Faunistique et écologie chimique des peuplements benthiques sur substrats durs et des sédiments de la baie de Calvi (Corse)

A research program on mediterranean benthos ecology going on in Calvi (Corsica) is presented. The first goal of this program is the characterisation of different benthic marine biocenoses by some chemical parameters, such as chitin, cellulose and total protein biomass. The fate of mollusc shell fragments in organoclastic sediments is then followed by the observation of ultrastructural modifications and by measuring the chitin degradation and the alteration of mineral constituents due to the activity of endobiotic organisms. A further aspect of this program is the study of a benthic community of 3 Turritella species and some cavernicolous Sipunculids and hermit crabs.