Marine macroalgae serve as habitats that provide ideal shelter for a rich and diverse community of associated molluscs, but the true effects of the complexity of these habitats on fauna are still poorly understood. Replicates of four macroalgal species: Gracilaria domingensis (Kützing) Sonder ex Dickie 1874, Solieria filiformis (Kützing) Gabrielson 1985, Gracilaria cuneata Sonder ex Kützing 1859 and Dictyota ciliolata Areschoug 1854 of a hypersaline estuary were collected to investigate the effects that macroalgal habitat complexity index has on the abundance, richness and diversity of associated molluscs. Habitat complexity index was determined by measuring several morphological attributes of each replicate of the four macroalgae species as well as weight and the fractal dimension. The studied macroalgae differed in habitat complexity index, with Gracilaria domingensis being the most complex. Microgastropods were the most species rich and abundant group of molluscs with 59 of 90 species and 876 of the total 1006 individuals. Mollusc community abundance and diversity differed significantly among the studied species of macroalgae. Habitat complexity had a positive effect on associated mollusc abundance, richness and diversity. This study revealed a rich biodiversity of micromolluscs associated with the studied macroalgae and reinforces the positive effects that increased habitat complexity has on the coexistence of this rich and diverse fauna in phytal ecosystems. Conservation efforts to protect hypersaline mangroves should include the protection of macroalgae banks as an important tool for habitat management and the maintenance of the associated biota.

海洋大型藻类可作为为丰富多样的相关软体动物群落提供理想庇护所的栖息地，但这些栖息地的复杂性对动物群的真正影响仍然知之甚少。四个大型藻类的复制品：1874年的Dickie Sonder ex Dickie的Docilensis Domingensis（Kützing），1985年的Kützing的Solieria filiformis（Kützing）的Socileria cuneata Sonder的1859年和Dictyota ciliolata收集了一个高盐河口的Areschoug 1854，以研究大型藻类栖息地复杂性指数对相关软体动物的丰度，丰富性和多样性的影响。通过测量四种大型藻类每个复制品的几种形态学属性以及重量和分形维数来确定栖息地复杂性指数。所研究的大型藻类的生境复杂性指数各不相同，与金丝猴最复杂。微型腹足类动物是软体动物中物种最多，种类最多的一组，在90个物种中有59个，在1006个个体中有876个。在所研究的大型藻类中，软体动物群落的丰度和多样性存在显着差异。生境的复杂性对相关的软体动物的丰富度，丰富性和多样性产生积极影响。这项研究揭示了与所研究的大型藻类相关的丰富的微分子生物多样性，并增强了栖息地复杂性增加对这种丰富多样的动物在植物生态系统中共存的积极影响。保护高盐红树林的保护工作应包括保护大型藻类库，将其作为栖息地管理和相关生物群维护的重要工具。