Durvillaea amatheiae holdfast macrofauna data

Durvillaea amatheiae holdfasts were collected in January 2022 from six locations, spread over ~230 km of the coastlines of New South Wales and Victoria, with locations spanning most of the current range of the species on mainland Australia. At each location, holdfast samples were collected haphazardly across a section of the lower intertidal zone spanning ~100m, with 7–10 holdfasts collected at each location. Prior to sampling, holdfasts were thoroughly rinsed to remove formalin and holdfasts were then dissected under a fume hood, by cutting each holdfast into sections of approximately 10 mm width. Each section was carefully examined by eye to locate macrofauna and further dissected if necessary to remove all macrofauna. Macrofauna samples from each holdfast were then stored in individual glass vials, containing 70% ethanol. Macrofauna samples were subsequently examined to count and identify species to the lowest taxonomic level possible.