Structure and taxonomic composition of subtidal nematode and macrofauna assemblages at four stations around the UK coast

Schratzberger, Michaela; Whomersley, Paul; Kilbride, R.; Rees, H.L.

doi:10.1017/s0025315404009208h

Cited by 16 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Sediment structure, chemistry, disturbance and availability of food, such as bacteria and microphytobenthos, are closely linked to nematode assemblage composition and distribution patterns (Giere, 1993;Heip et al, 1985;Moens et al, 2005), through the changes in density, diversity, structure and functioning (Danovaro et al, 2008;Norling et al, 2007;Patrício et al, 2012). Furthermore, several studies have highlighted the importance of the link between nematode diversity and ecosystem functioning, which may be important in the assessment of estuarine and marine biological integrity (Coull and Chandler, 1992;Danovaro et al, 2008;Fonseca et al, 2011;Moreno et al, 2008;Schratzberger et al, 2004;Steyaert et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparative analysis of benthic nematode assemblages from Zostera noltii beds before and after a major vegetation collapse

Materatski

Vafeiadou

Ribeiro

et al. 2015

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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a b s t r a c tBenthic nematodes are widely regarded as very suitable organisms to monitor potential ecological effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances in aquatic ecosystems. During 2008, the seagrass beds of Zostera noltii located in the Mira estuary (SW Portugal) disappeared completely. However, during 2009, slight symptoms of natural recovery were observed, a process which has since evolved intermittently. This study aims to investigate changes in patterns of nematode density, diversity, and trophic composition between two distinct habitat conditions: "before" the collapse of seagrass beds, and during the early recovery "after" the seagrass habitat loss, through the analysis of: i) temporal and spatial distribution patterns of nematode communities, and ii) the most important environmental variables influencing the nematode assemblages. The following hypotheses were tested: i) there would be differences in nematode assemblage density, biodiversity and trophic composition during both ecological conditions, "before" and "after"; and ii) there would be differences in nematode assemblage density, biodiversity and trophic composition at different sampling occasions during both ecological conditions. Nematode density and diversity were significantly different between the two ecological situations. A higher density was recorded before, but a higher diversity was evident after the collapse of Z. noltii. In spite of the disturbance caused by the seagrass habitat loss in the Mira estuary, the nematode trophic composition did not significantly differ between the before and after seagrass collapse situations. Despite the significant differences found among sampling occasions, a consistent temporal pattern was not evident. The response of nematode communities following this extreme event exhibited considerable resistance and resilience to the new environmental conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparative analysis of benthic nematode assemblages from Zostera noltii beds before and after a major vegetation collapse

Materatski

Vafeiadou

Ribeiro

et al. 2015

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

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“…The predominant nematode genera Daptonema , Cobbia , Sabatieria , Dorylaimopsis and Terschellingia are also dominant in the sublittoral of other areas, albeit in different proportions (Somerfield et al , 2003; Huang et al , 2006). In addition, the genera found in the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters are also found in other sediments world-wide (Lambshead et al , 2003; Schratzberger et al , 2004). In the light of these facts there is no evidence that the nematode communities in the Changjiang adjacent waters are very different to those already studied in the other sublittoral areas of the world, and therefore they should be expected to respond to changes in environmental conditions in similar ways.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Environmental factors affecting nematode community structure in the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters

Hua

Zhang

2008

J. Mar. Biol. Ass.

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This paper describes the major features of nematode assemblages collected at 18 stations in the Changjiang River estuary and its adjacent waters and identifies dominant species within communities in relation to environmental parameters. Meiofauna from the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters comprised 21 major taxa of higher categories. Subsamples of nematodes were extracted and identified to the species level. In general, the nematode community structure was similar to that of muddy sublittoral areas world-wide. The most abundant genera were Daptonema, Cobbia, Sabatieria, Dorylaimopsis and Terschellingia, accounting for 50.0%. The studied area exhibited high nematode abundance and high species biodiversity. Measurements of environmental factors were made, including grain size, salinity, temperature, sediment organic matter content, Chl-a and Phaeo-a. Different combinations of environmental variables are responsible for the meiofauna and nematode communities' structures. However, BIOENV results indicate that water depth, salinity, Chl-a, Phaeo-a and silt–clay content were more closely linked to variation in meiofauna (mainly nematode) community structure in the studied area. Among these, water depth, salinity, Chl-a and Phaeo-a were most responsible for nematode assemblage discrimination in the studied area.

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“…Many field 22 studies of contaminant effects only describe patterns (e.g. Armstrong et al 1980, Schratzberger et al 2004, Lee and Correa 2005. Manipulative experiments are, however, necessary to 24 demonstrate any cause-effect relationship between the contaminant(s) and the observed pattern(s).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of zinc on microalgal biofilms in intertidal and subtidal habitats

Mayer‐Pinto¹,

Coleman²,

Underwood³

et al. 2011

Biofouling

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(152 words)Biofilms are sensitive to environmental conditions. Impacts of contaminants on 2 assemblages are often investigated in laboratories or in meso-cosms. Such experiments are rarely representative of effects of contaminants on biofilms under natural conditions. Studies in 4 real field situations, with enough power to detect impacts, are necessary to develop better understanding of the effects of contaminants on ecological processes. Metals are a common 6 estuarine contaminant and can cause disturbances to the assemblages. Using a new technique to experimentally deliver contaminants to micro-algal assemblages, we tested hypotheses about 8 the effects of zinc on micro-algal biofilm growing on settlement panels in subtidal and intertidal habitats. Control panels deployed for one month in each habitat had significantly 10 greater amounts of biofilm than those exposed to zinc. After three months of deployment, results varied with location. The observed effects on the biofilm did not, however, cause 12 significant changes in the fouling assemblages that developed on the panels.

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Structure and taxonomic composition of subtidal nematode and macrofauna assemblages at four stations around the UK coast

Cited by 16 publications

References 25 publications

A comparative analysis of benthic nematode assemblages from Zostera noltii beds before and after a major vegetation collapse

A comparative analysis of benthic nematode assemblages from Zostera noltii beds before and after a major vegetation collapse

Environmental factors affecting nematode community structure in the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters

Effects of zinc on microalgal biofilms in intertidal and subtidal habitats

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