Diversity of nematode assemblages along a Mediterranean deep-sea transect.

The diversity of the nematode assemblages along a Mediterranean transect off Calvi, Corsica, Mediterranean Sea (depth range 160 to 1220 m) was very high. There was no clear trend in species diversity with station depth, and diversity at the station located on the continental shelf was not markedly lower than that at the deep-sea stations. However, diversity decreased with increasing depth into the sediment. As with the macrofauna, nematode assemblages in the Mediterranean is explained by a slight dominance of some species, while no species are dominant in the Bay of Biscay. Generic (between-genus) diversity was much higher than the average species diversity within genera, indicating that the high overall species diversity was not caused by large numbers of closely related co-existing species. Since species abundances are low, mate location for amphimictically reproducing species can impose an important metabolic cost on the organism. However, there are no indications that parthenogenesis is important in deep-sea nematodes

Combined influence of river discharge and wind on littoral nematode communities of a river mouth area of Lake Constance

Witthoeft-Muehlmann A, Traunspurger W, Rothhaupt KO. Combined influence of river discharge and wind on littoral nematode communities of a river mouth area of Lake Constance. AQUATIC ECOLOGY. 2007;41(2):231-242.The littoral nematode community adjacent to a river mouth (River Schussen) on Lake Constance (Germany) was studied from February 1999 to January 2000 in order to determine the influence of stress resulting from fluctuations in river discharge on local nematode assemblages. Additionally, the influence of wind as a second important stress factor was considered. Six sample sites were chosen, reflecting a gradient of river influence within the broader river mouth area. Nematode communities, varying in a mean range from 121 to 165 ind/10 cm(2), were found to differ significantly in terms of abundance, feeding type composition and species diversity. Deposit feeders were most abundant at all sites followed by chewers. Deposit feeders were affected mainly by wind events, while species diversity and the occurrence of chewers were influenced mainly by river discharge. The impact of both these stress factors was modified by a third variable, water level. Moderate and high levels of combined habitat stress led to significant changes in community structure. Under conditions of calm weather and low discharge, reduced species diversity and an increased predominance of deposit feeders were observed. In most cases, species diversity was found to be higher under moderate stress conditions, an observation that offers support for Connel's Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis