Within the mangroves, the overall species richness and abundance of worms at the six sites sampled during the three-year monitoring program were not significantly different. Also, diversity levels for each of the four assemblages were reasonably consistent between sites. However, within each site univariate analysis showed significant annual and seasonal differences in species richness and abundance between assemblages. The seaward assemblage had the highest diversity of worms, with species richness and abundance decreasing progressively to landward, with few worms sampled in the hinterland margin (Table 1; Fig. 3). This distribution pattern reflects the frequency of tidal inundation and the suitability of substrates—muds become increasingly moist and unconsolidated to seaward and the habitat opportunities for infauna increase.