Spatio-temporal distribution of meiofaunal assemblages and its relationship with environmental factors in a semi-enclosed bay

Gao, Chunzi; Liu, Xiaoshou

Spatio-temporal distribution of meiofaunal assemblages and its relationship with environmental factors in a semi-enclosed bay

2018

Gao, Chunzi | Liu, Xiaoshou

In order to reveal the spatio-temporal distribution of meiofaunal assemblages and its relationship with environmental factors in semi-enclosed bay habitats, meiofaunal and sediment samples were collected in February (winter), May (spring), August (summer) and November (autumn) 2014 in Jiaozhou Bay, China. A total of 20 meiofaunal taxa were identified. The most dominant group was free-living marine nematode, followed by benthic copepod. During the four sampling seasons, the values of meiofaunal average abundance were (912.3 ± 603.1), (1576.4 ± 659.5), (1074.6 ± 417.6), (2152.4 ± 1062.3) ind./10 cm2 while those of biomass were (575.0 ± 398.5), (874.3 ± 518.4), (617.9 ± 337.8), (1203.6 ± 719.6) μg dwt/10 cm2, respectively. In terms of vertical distribution, meiofauna were mainly found in the (0–2) cm sediment layer (59.92%), followed by (2–5) cm layer (28.25%) and (5–8) cm layer (11.82%). Results of correlation analysis showed that bottom water temperature was the main factor influencing meiofaunal distribution and food source (sediment organic matter content) was the main factor influencing meiofaunal assemblages.

Afficher plus [+]