TY - JOUR
T1 - Patterns of nematode populations in the southwestern North Sea and their link to other components of the benthic fauna
AU - Schratzberger, Michaela
AU - Warr, Karema
AU - Rogers, Stuart
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - This article describes the major features of nematode assemblages collected at 19 stations in the southwestern North Sea and identifies dominant species within communities in relation to environmental parameters and anthropogenic activities. Patterns observed for meiobenthic nematodes were compared with those from larger-sized benthic fauna. Correlation analyses of nematode populations with the varied substrate occurring in the study area revealed that locations with similar sediment type and water depth were also most similar faunistically. The combined analysis of different faunal groups showed a notable similarity between species distribution patterns and this was partly based on common affinities for particular habitat conditions. The influence of factors related to sediment granulometry generally decreased with increasing size and mobility of the faunal group investigated. In terms of diversity and species composition, nematode communities encountered were similar to those occurring in comparable environments worldwide. As evident from sediment, contaminant and faunal analyses, acute effects of human activities on nematode populations seem unlikely.
AB - This article describes the major features of nematode assemblages collected at 19 stations in the southwestern North Sea and identifies dominant species within communities in relation to environmental parameters and anthropogenic activities. Patterns observed for meiobenthic nematodes were compared with those from larger-sized benthic fauna. Correlation analyses of nematode populations with the varied substrate occurring in the study area revealed that locations with similar sediment type and water depth were also most similar faunistically. The combined analysis of different faunal groups showed a notable similarity between species distribution patterns and this was partly based on common affinities for particular habitat conditions. The influence of factors related to sediment granulometry generally decreased with increasing size and mobility of the faunal group investigated. In terms of diversity and species composition, nematode communities encountered were similar to those occurring in comparable environments worldwide. As evident from sediment, contaminant and faunal analyses, acute effects of human activities on nematode populations seem unlikely.
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2005.07.002
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2005.07.002
M3 - Article
VL - 55
SP - 113
EP - 127
JO - Journal of Sea Research
JF - Journal of Sea Research
SN - 1385-1101
IS - 2
ER -