The effects of meiofauna on settling macrofauna: meiofauna may structure macrofaunal communities

Summary When macrofaunal larvae and juveniles recruit into the benthos, they are in the same size catagory as the meiofauna. These small size classes have been consistently ignored in macrofaunal studies despite the increasingly accepted idea that communities are structured not only by interactions between adults, but also by interactions which occurred when the animals were young and in the meiofaunal size catagory. I have tested the effects of turbellarians and other meiofauna on settling macrofaunal larvae and young juveniles in a one-week field experiment. Increased densities of both turbellarians and other meiofauna (tested separately) significantly reduced densities of juvenile spionids and deposit feeders. Syllid abundances increased in high density turbellarian treatments. Nereid polychaete, other predatory polychaete, and bivalve densities showed no significant differences among treatments. By both altering densities and acting selectively on various groups of macrofaunal juveniles, meiofauna may significantly affect the structure of macrofaunal communities.     

Latitudinal biodiversity patterns of meiofauna from sandy littoral beaches

Meiofaunal samples from arctic (Bear Island, Franz Josef Land, Hopen, Kolguev), temperate (Baltic Sea, North Sea), subtropical (Tunisia, Greece), tropical (Emirates, Ghana) and antarctic sandy beaches were collected at the medium water mark. The highest average meiofaunal density was found in the temperate zone (1300 individuals 10 cm^–2) and the lowest in both polar regions: in arctic (79 individuals 10 cm^–2) and in antarctic (35 individuals 10 cm^–2) samples. Nematodes dominated the meiofauna community in warm regions, while turbellarians were more common in cold water regions. Sixteen higher taxa were recorded in tropical sites, while only eight taxa were observed in the sampled cold regions. This difference was mainly due to the presence of small specimens of macrofauna in the tropics. When only true meiofauna higher taxa were compared, no latitudinal trends were found.     

Composition and distribution of meiofauna,including nematode genera,in two contrasting Arctic beaches

The meiofauna of two tidal beaches, one exposed and one more sheltered, on Bjornoya (Bear Island) was investigated in summer 2000. Both meiofaunal densities and composition seem to be controlled by physical properties of the sediment, which in turn are controlled by exposure. The moderately and poorly sorted sediments in the sheltered beach were more abundant in terms of meiofaunal densities than the well sorted sediments in the exposed beach (254–481 individuals in 10 cm² vs 7–269 individuals in 10 cm², respectively). In total, seven higher meiofaunal taxa were found. Turbellaria were the numerically dominant taxon in the exposed beach. In the sheltered beach, Turbellaria also dominated, followed by Nematoda and Harpacticoida. The vertical distribution of the meiofauna was in accordance with what has been reported from other intertidal beaches. Nematoda were studied in detail and their densities ranged over 0.7–7.7 individuals in 10 cm² in the exposed beach and 2.7–186.0 individuals in 10 cm² in the sheltered beach. Nematodes were identified to genus level and a total of eight nematode genera were found. Sediment community respiration, measured as oxygen consumption, ranged between 2.3 cm³ O₂ m^–2 h^–1 in the exposed beach and 7.3 cm³ O₂ m^–2 h^–1 in the sheltered beach (respectively, the equivalent of 24 mg and 75 mg of organic carbon metabolised per day). Values from the sheltered site are within the range of results registered in much warmer localities.     

Temporal spatial distribution of benthic meiofauna in four beaches of the northern Havana shore

The temporal-spatial distribution of benthic meiofauna was evaluated in four beaches at the north coast of Havana, Cuba, from March 2003 to February 2004. We studied two urban beaches (Santa Fe and La Concha) and two tourist beaches (Mar Azul and Canasi). Monthly meiofauna samplings were taken by scuba-diving using with a syringe (inner diameter 2.5 cm), and physico-chemical parameters (grain size, interstitial salinity and water column salinity were recorded with standard equipment). Statistical analysis (MDS and ANOSIM) were performed. Depth and biotope kind were the same in the four beaches. Highest densities were obtained in Santa Fe (7,133.48 ind/10 cm2) while the lowest mean densities were found in Canasí (892.12 ind/10 cm2). We recorded 13 taxa; the dominant organisms in Santa Fe and Mar Azul were free-living marine nematodes. Copepods were the dominant organisms in La Concha and Canasí.     

Abundance – occupancy relationships in macrofauna on exposed sandy beaches: patterns and mechanisms

We studied the relationship between abundance and extent of occupancy of 158 species of macrofauna inhabiting 66 sandy beaches around the coast of Great Britain. We also used these data to test the predictions of two hypotheses proposed to explain positive abundance-occupancy relationships. We found a strong positive relationship between abundance and extent of occupancy; this pattern was apparent in taxonomic subsets of organisms which have contrasting reproductive and dispersal traits such as planktotrophic/lecithotrophic development in the plankton vs brood development under parental care. Moreover, the abundance-occupancy relationships in these taxonomic subsets had statistically indistinguishable slopes, and elevation. We propose that this lends support to the notion that differences in population structure such as the tendency to form metapopulations may not be primary determinants of the abundance-occupancy pattern in these taxa as proposed by the rescue/metapopulation hypothesis. To test the predictions of the niche-breadth hypothesis we derived values describing the range of sediment grain-sizes exploited by members of two taxonomic subgroups: amphipods and bivalves. We found a weak, statistically non-significant relationship between this niche-breadth measure and occupancy in bivalves which have been shown to respond to grain-size in previous studies, however this was negated after correction for possible artefacts of sampling effort. All other relationships between abundance or occupancy and grain-size range were non-significant. The consistency of the demonstrated abundance-occupancy relationship with those demonstrated in other studies of primarily terrestrial fauna indicates some shared mechanistic explanation, but our data fail to provide support for the two mechanistic hypotheses investigated.     

The effect of sulfide and an increased food supply on the meiofauna and macrofauna at the East Flower Garden brine seep

A sulfurous brine seep at the East Flower Garden Bank, northwest Gulf of Mexico, produces conditions conducive to the growth of a luxuriant prokaryotic biota. Hydrodynamic cropping continually harvests this biota and distributes it to sandy-bottom and hard-bank benthic communities downstream of the seep. Consequently, both macro- and meiofaunal abundances are dramatically increased above the regional norm in parts of the seep system. When sulfide is present, the lower Bilaterian groups belonging to the meiofauna dominate the community; without sulfide, macrofaunal groups, particularly crustaceans, dominate the community. Outside the influence of the seep, meiofaunal copepods predominate. Changes in taxonomic composition and abundance indicate that the sandy-bottom benthos at 70–80 m depth at the East Flower Garden bank is foodlimited and that, under these conditions, meiofauna, particularly the higher Bilaterian groups, dominate the community numerically. Perhaps, under food-limiting conditions, meiofauna compete favorably with macrofauna for food.     

The energy cost of migration of the bivalve Donax on tropical sandy beaches

1. The energy cost involved in tidal migration on tropical sandy beaches by the bivalves Donax incarnatus Gmelin and D. denticulatus L. is estimated from observations and recordings of the burrowing movements involved.

>2. The maintenance of position between migratory movements requires expenditure of more energy than does emergence and re‐burial during migration. Together these two components of activity require in an animal of 2 cm shell length, 6 cal/day for D. denticulatus and 6.6 cal/day for D. incarnatus.

3. In D. incarnatus the daily oxygen consumption of an animal of this size is 0.25 mg O₂/animal which is equivalent to a maintenance requirement of 20.4 cal/day, so that migration may add about one‐third to the daily maintenance requirement.

4. For the mole crab, Emerita holthuisi Sankolli from the same beach as D. incarnatus, comparable figures for the energy requirements of migration and maintenance are 1.14 cal/day and 27.2 cal/day.     

Horizontal and vertical distribution of meiofauna on sandy beaches of the North Sea (The Netherlands, Belgium, France)

Sandy intertidal zones were analysed for the presence of meiofauna. The material was collected on six macro-tidal sandy beaches along the North Sea (The Netherlands, France, Belgium), in order to analyse the vertical and horizontal meiofaunal distribution patterns. Eleven higher meiofauna taxa (one represented by larval stage—Copepoda nauplii) were recorded. The maximum total meiofauna abundance was observed on the Dutch beach (4,295±911 ind. 10 cm⁻²) in the Westerschelde estuary, while the lowest values (361±128 ind. 10 cm⁻²) were recorded in France at the Audresselles beach. Meiofauna of the different localities consisted mainly of nematodes, harpacticoids and turbellarians. Nematodes numerically dominated all sampled stations, comprising more than 45% of the total meiofauna density. Meiofauna was mainly concentrated at the sand surface with about 70% present in the uppermost 5 cm. Meiofauna occurred across the entire intertidal zone. A clear zonation pattern in the distribution of meiofauna taxa across the beaches was observed. The present work suggests that designation of exposed sandy beaches as physically controlled (McLachlan 1988) does not explain their biological variability.     

Interrelationships of bacteria,meiofauna and macrofauna in a Mediterranean sedimentary beach (Maremma Park,NW Italy)

Collelungo beach (Maremma Park, NW Italy), was sampled quantitatively for macrofauna, meiofauna and bacteria in May 2003; several physicochemical variables and variables associated with food availability and sediment structure were also measured. Replicated samples were collected from three sites representing natural conditions, an erosion regime, and the influence of the Ombrone River, respectively, as well as from four stations each located in the surf and sublittoral zones. Both uni- and multivariate techniques were used to assess the benthic community structure and the associated environmental variables. Different diversity indices revealed no pattern; in contrast, multivariate techniques applied on the macrobenthic fauna and the polychaete taxocommunity distinguished between the sites located in natural and eroding conditions from the one located nearby the discharges of the Ombrone river. Τhe community patterns deriving from meio- and macrofauna are clearly divergent. The overall benthic faunal community appears to be influenced by both groups of organisms. The patterns of the meio- and macrofaunal communities seem to be affected synergistically by a number of environmental variables, in accordance with the multicausal environmental severity hypothesis. Meiofaunal patterns are more often correlated with bacteria and the protein concentration than are macrofaunal patterns, indicating a potential utilization of bacteria as a food source by the meiofaunal organisms. Total bacterial numbers are associated with the macrofaunal pattern under the erosion regime, probably as a consequence of competition for food between macrofauna and meiofauna.     

青岛砂质潮间带小型底栖动物分布及季节动态

以青岛太平湾第二海水浴场(简称“二浴”)和石老人海水浴场(简称“石浴”)沙滩为研究对象,2008年1、4、7、10月采集小型底栖动物样品,开展砂质潮间带的小型底栖动物数量分布和类群组成的季节变化特征研究.结果表明:青岛两个砂质沙滩沉积环境具有显著的季节差异,可分为冬春组(1和4月)和夏秋组(7和10月).二浴小型底栖动物年平均丰度为(1167.3+768.3) ind·10 cm-2,线虫是主要类群,占总丰度的91％.不同潮带的类群组成和丰度分布不均匀,其丰度为高潮带＜中潮带＜低潮带.且类群组成与丰度具有明显的季节差异,其丰度冬春高、夏秋低,总趋势为春季＞冬季＞秋季＞夏季.二浴高、中潮带的小型底栖动物垂直分布也具有明显的季节变化,小型底栖动物随温度升高向深层移动,冬季集中在表层,夏季向深处迁移.石浴小型底栖动物的年平均丰度为(1130.2±1419.1) ind·10 cm-2,线虫占总丰度的85％,与二浴中潮带沉积环境相似,所支持的小型底栖动物类群组成及数量基本一致,属于相近沙滩.但石浴中潮带小型底栖动物垂直分布随温度的降低呈向下迁移的趋势.ANOVA和BIOENV分析表明,中值粒径和有机质含量是产生小型底栖动物潮带分布差异的主要原因,沉积物间隙水温度、中值粒径、有机质含量是产生丰度季节差异的主要原因,垂直迁移则受沉积物Chl a含量的影响.此外,沙滩人类活动是另一个影响小型底栖动物数量及分布的因素.     

Biodiversity of marine nematodes in Australian sandy beaches from tropical and temperate regions

The universal occurrence and abundance of nematodes provides opportunities to investigate ecological factors that may influence biodiversity. Clarke and Warwick (2001) have proposed diversity indices average taxonomic distance(AvTD), variation in taxonomic distinctness (VarTD) for computing marine nematode biodiversity based on classification trees. Faith [Biological Conservation 61 (1992) 1] had previously proposed a diversity index based on phylogenetic trees, though not applied to nematodes. Clarke and Warwick (2001) also considered an index AvPD analogous to AvTD. These indices have been applied to five very large collections of free-living nematodes from three exposed sandy beaches in Australia. Two were from a beach close to Darwin in northern Australia, two from the temperate southeast coast of Australia and one from the south of the Australian mainland. The collections extend over a considerable range of latitude, from 12°26S to 38°33S and the controversial hypothesis that latitudinal gradients per se influence the biodiversity of marine nematode assemblages is examined. AvTD did not vary among collections and its value for any collection was indistinguishable from that of random samples of the same size drawn from the total species pool. VarTD showed no variation for three of the collections, but was slightly higher than expected for the mid-latitude beach, attributed to unevenness in the classification trees. AvTD and VarTD were not greatly affected by differences in sampling intensity. PD varied directly with the number of species found but observed PD did not differ from the PD of random samples of the same number of species taken from the total species pool. Thus, the observed variation in PD is wholly accounted for by variations in species richness. The number of species found increased with decreasing latitude. It appears that species richness by itself is an adequate index of biodiversity for the free-living nematodes of these sandy beaches, and more complex indices such as AvTD, VarTD and PD are unnecessary.     

The quantitative separation of meiofauna

Summary 1. This paper presents the results of a meeting on the evaluation of quantitative procedures for the separation of meiofauna, held at the Marine Station of the Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, in May 1972. Close co-operation on the part of the participants (p. 194) has allowed assessment of advantages and disadvantages of the separation methods applied. The time needed for preserved methods can be reduced by changing to scanning rather than picking out for sorting and counting.2. Sorting without concentrations: This method is suitable for very fine-grained sediments, oozes; it is generally applied for preserved samples; adequate for hard fauna; insufficient for soft fauna; very time consuming.3. Decantation: Suitable for sandy sediments; generally applied for preserved samples; adequate for hard fauna; insufficient for soft fauna; time consuming.4. Elutriation: Suitable for sandy sediments; for unpreserved samples only with anaesthetization, more effective with preserved samples; limited for total live fauna. With preserved samples, adequate for hard fauna; insufficient for soft fauna; quick method.5. Warm-water elutriation: Suitable for sandy sediments; designed for live hard fauna (especially nematodes, ostracods); quick method.6. Sea-water ice treatment: Suitable for sandy sediments with microporal structure; only for live extraction; limited for hard fauna; well suited for soft fauna (including ciliates and flagellates); time consuming.

---

Die quantitative Isolierung der Meiofauna. Ein Methodenvergleich

Kurzfassung Im Mai 1972 fand an der Meeresstation der Biologischen Anstalt Helgoland ein Arbeitstreffen mit dem Ziel statt, die verschiedenen Methoden zur quantitativen Isolierung der Meiofauna aus dem Sediment in ihrer Effektivität miteinander zu vergleichen. Die Verfahren zur Anreicherung der Meiofauna in der Probe, des Sortierens und Auszählens werden beschrieben und die durch die Teilnehmer am Arbeitstreffen gemeinsam erzielten Ergebnisse diskutiert. Die Wertung der einzelnen Methoden zur Erfassung der Gesamtfauna, der harten und der weichen Meiofauna, von konservierten und nichtkonservierten Organismen sowie die Anwendung der Methoden auf verschiedenen Sedimenttypen werden durch statistische Analysen abgesichert. Eine Zusammenfassung der Arbeitsverfahren sowie deren Charakterisierung und Leistungsfähigkeit beschließt die Darstellung.

     

Importance of predation in regulating density of meio- and macrofauna in seasonal tropical waters

Toward the end of the low water period in two seasonal tropical water bodies, we observed drastic declines in densities of dominant groups of macrofauna (Chironomidae, Oligochaeta and Ostracoda). This, however, was not accompanied by reductions in the densities of meiofauna (Nematoda, small (< 3 mm) Chironomidae and Oligochaeta). The decline of macrofauna was correlated with growing numbers of large, mobile, carnivorous invertebrates (Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Decapoda: Macrobrachium) and small, gape-limited fish, which emigrated from drying habitats and concentrated in places that predation pressure has been directed mainly towards macrofauna. Alternative hypotheses are discussed.     

Field manipulations of tidal flushing,light exposure and natant macrofauna in a Louisiana salt marsh: Effects on the meiofauna

Field manipulative experiments were used to investigate some of the potential regulating factors of the meiofauna of a Louisiana salt marsh. Effects of various combinations of marsh grass clipping, exclusion of natant macrofauna, and tidal flushing on nematode, polychaete, and copepod density, as well as copepod species composition, were determined. Edaphic chlorophyll a was measured simultaneously. Grass clipping consistently affected the meiobenthic copepod assemblage; diversity and evenness dropped by Day 29 when Nitocra lacustris (Schmankevitsch) became dominant. Nematode density relative to controls was lower by Day 29 in clipped plots. N. lacustris abundance increased relative to controls in clipped plots enclosed by a solid Plexiglas box. Nematode density was negatively correlated with chlorophyll a content. No simple explanation of these patterns is possible; concomitant changes in microflora coupled with associated changes in the physical/biological environment of meiofauna must be responsible. Exclusion of only natant macrofauna (fish, shrimp, crabs) had no influence on meiofauna contrary to findings in other marshes. Dense grass cover and short, irregular tidal inundation may normally restrict intertidal grazing in Louisiana marshes.     

The quantitative study of soil meiofauna

Summary Details of a method for preparation of undisturbed samples for extraction with a modified funnel are given, together with techniques for the quantitative assessment of the catch (especially Acarina and Collembola). These techniques include handling, visual examination and storage of the fauna.

---

Zusammenfassung Einzelheiten einer Methode zur Erhaltung ungestörter Bodenproben werden beschrieben, geeignet für den Gebrauch in einem modifizierten Tullgren-Ausleseapparat und besonders zur Anwendung an steinigen Standorten. Ein ungestörter Bodenblock wird aus der Seitenwand eines Profilgrabens gehoben und daraus eine zylindrische Probe von 5,1 cm Durchmesser heraus geschnitten, die in Scheiben von etwa 2 cm Dicke zerlegt wird.Der Apparat und das Verfahren zur Behandlung der ausgelesenen. Fauna (besonders Acarina und Collembola) besteht aus einem viereckigen Glasgefäss (6×6×1 cm) für die Auszählung, einem Alkohol-Behälter und einem Micro-Immersionsfilter (gesintertes Glas) zur Verminderung des Volumens der Flüssigkeit, in dem sich die Fauna befindet, sowie aus dem Gebrauch von Glyzerin, das zur Erleichterung der mikroskopischen Untersuchung und Behandlung der Organismen bestimmt ist. Ein modifiziertes, langarmiges Mikroskop und ein davon getrennter Tisch werden zur Auszählung und Identifizierung verwendet. Es wird mit auffallendem Licht unter Verwendung eines Polarisationsfilters gearbeitet, der zur Verminderung der Reflexion von den Seiten des Glastellers und zur besseren Sicht in der Flüssigkeit dient. Fehlerquellen während der Auszählung werden besprochen und Einzelheiten der Aufbewahrung des Fanges beschrieben.

     

Lack of correlation between surface macrofauna,meiofauna, erosion threshold and biogeochemical properties of sediments within an intertidal mudflat and mangrove forest

This article describes the relationship between 10 selected properties of the sediments (chlorophyll a and b, colloidal and total carbohydrate, water concentration, sediment type, organic matter, erosion threshold and erosion rate) and meio- and macrofauna within and among three different habitats in an urbanized intertidal mudflat/mangrove forest in Tambourine Bay, Sydney Harbour, Australia. Many of the biogeochemical variables were significantly different among habitats, often grading from mudflat to mangrove canopy. In contrast to previous studies, patterns of distribution of macrofauna among habitats were weak. For the meiofauna, only copepods showed any significant difference among habitats, with the greatest numbers in the open mudflat habitat and least under the mangrove canopy. There was a gradient in fauna among the habitats; overall macrofauna abundances were greatest under the mangrove canopy and least on the mudflat, while meiofauna abundance was greatest in the pneumatophore habitat and least under the canopy. Correlations between fauna and properties of sediment were generally weak. When the habitats were analysed separately, some correlations were strengthened but relationships were inconsistent. Thus, while some taxa vary significantly among habitats there was not a strong relationship between biogeochemical properties and either macro- or meiofauna. This suggests that localised factors other than the measured properties of the sediments are driving patterns in fauna at these small scales, which requires further investigation to be unravelled.     

The structure of shallow water fish assemblages in sandy beaches of a tropical bay in the southwestern Atlantic

Ichthyological Research - The spatial and seasonal dynamics of shallow water fish assemblages and their relationship with physical-chemical variables were investigated on Guanabara Bay, one of the...     

The response of meiofauna to sediment disturbance

The meiobenthos inhabiting an intertidal mud bar were disturbed by hand-turning the sediment of a 9-m² area with a shovel and monitoring the subsequent recolonization process.The immediate impact of the disturbance on this community dominated by Nematoda (91%), Copepoda (4%) and Foraminifera (4%), was to remove more than 70% of the meiofauna. However, after only one tidal cycle, total numbers of nematodes, copepods, foraminiferans and other meiofauna taxa were at predisturbance and control (similar 9-m² site on the same flat) density values. Nematode species assemblages rapidly adapted to the disturbance and changed little over time. Foraminifera showed insignificant fluidized flocculent upper layer of sediment was probably the major dispersal mechanism in this community, and foraminiferans seem to be the least able to use this mechanism.The meiobenthos of this habitat is described as a well-dispersed and dynamic community able to rapidly adjust to small-scale disturbances. However, the meiobenthos may not recover from all disturbances, because resilience was only determined for a limited physical disturbance.     

Distribution,abundance and ecology of the meiofauna in a tropical estuary along the west coast of India

The distribution and abundance of subtidal meiofauna in Mandovi estuary of Goa were studied from June 1983 to June 1984. Monthly faunal abundance ranged from 491 to 2791/10 cm² and dry weight biomass from 0.16 to 2.80 mg 10 cm². Free living nematodes were the dominant group contributing over 75% of the total density and 30 to 42% of the total biomass. Among nematodes the deposit feeders were more abundant in fine muddy substratum while epigrowth feeders dominated in sandy substratum.Harpacticoids were next, comprising 6.9 to 8.7% of the total meiofauna number, followed by turbellaria (3.8–4.5%), polychaeta (2.8–3.2%) and ostracods (1.6–4.5%) The contribution of other groups to faunal density was 4.5–6.2%. In the biomass the ostracods contributed most (29.8–54.7%), followed by nematodes (23.8–34.6%). Over 60% of the fauna occurred in the top 2 cm of the sediment and the faunal density reduced significantly with increasing depth in the sediment. The vertical distribution of meiofauna was positively correlated to the vertical distribution of Eh, chlorophyll a and interstitial water. Seasonality was greatly influenced by the south-west monsoon and the fauna quickly repopulated after the monsoon. Salinity, temperature and food influenced the faunal abundance.