Horizontal zonation patterns and feeding structure of marine nematode assemblages on a macrotidal, ultra-dissipative sandy beach (De Panne, Belgium)
Gheskiere, T.; Hoste, E.; Vanaverbeke, J.; Vincx, M.; Degraer, S. (2004). Horizontal zonation patterns and feeding structure of marine nematode assemblages on a macrotidal, ultra-dissipative sandy beach (De Panne, Belgium). J. Sea Res. 52(3): 211-226. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2004.02.001
In: Journal of Sea Research. Elsevier/Netherlands Institute for Sea Research: Amsterdam; Den Burg. ISSN 1385-1101; e-ISSN 1873-1414
Related to:
Gheskiere, T.; Hoste, E.; Vanaverbeke, J.; Vincx, M.; Degraer, S. (2005). Horizontal zonation patterns and feeding structure of marine nematode assemblages on a macrotidal, ultra-dissipative sandy beach (De Panne, Belgium), in: Gheskiere, T. Nematode assemblages from European sandy beaches: diversity, zonation patterns and tourist impacts = Nematodengemeenschappen van Europese zandstranden: diversiteit, zonatiepatronen en impacts van toerisme. pp. 19-41, more
Aquatic communities > Benthos Behaviour > Migrations > Feeding migrations Distribution > Geographical distribution > Horizontal distribution Distribution > Geographical distribution > Zonal distribution Sandy beaches Sediments Species diversity Nematoda [WoRMS] ANE, Belgium, De Panne [Marine Regions]; ANE, North Sea [Marine Regions] Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
nematodes; species diversity; sandy beach; faunal zonation patterns; feeding types; sediment; north sea
Macrobenthic zonation on sandy beaches has been studied widely, whereas meiobenthic/nematofaunal species richness and zonation patterns have received little attention. We investigated community structure, intertidal zonation of nematode species and feeding structure across a macrotidal, ultra-dissipative, sandy beach (De Panne, Belgium). A total of 88 free-living marine nematode species were recorded along transects. Average nematode densities increased from the upper beach (320 ± 45 ind/10 cm2) towards the low-tidal level (2784 ± 6 ind/10 cm2), which corresponds well to the better-known macrobenthic patterns on sandy beaches. While macrobenthic species richness usually increases towards the low-tidal level, nematode species richness reached highest values around the mid-tidal level (34 ± 3 sp.). This can be explained by an optimal balance between time of submergence, oxygen supply and sediment stability. Multivariate analyses indicated four different nematode assemblages that reflect the tidal zonation patterns: the upper beach, the driftline, the middle beach association and the lower beach association. The assemblages were significantly different from each other although similarities tended to increase down the beach, indicating a more gradual transition between the mid-tidal and low-tidal assemblages. Non-selective deposit feeders dominated all zones except in the driftline, where epistratum feeders were dominant. Percentage of very fine sand and percentage of shell fragments provided the best granulometric variables in determining these assemblages.
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