Publication Abstract

Patterns of nematode populations in the southwestern North Sea and their link to other components of the benthic fauna

M. Schratzberger, K. Warr and S.I. Rogers*

In several cases, the benthos of the southwestern North Sea has been examined and this study deals with an important component of the marine benthic ecosystem, the nematodes, which have not been previously studied in detail in this area. This article describes the major features of nematode assemblages collected at 19 stations and identifies dominant species within faunal groups in relation to environmental parameters and anthropogenic activities. Patterns observed for meiobenthic nematodes were compared with those from other, 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 world-wide. As evident from sediment, contaminant and faunal analyses, acute effects of human activities on nematode populations seem unlikely. Although an effect of fishing on the nematode fauna cannot be ruled out on a local scale, there was no evidence of a detrimental effect on the spatial scale of this study.

Reference:

M. Schratzberger, K. Warr and S.I. Rogers (2006) Patterns of nematode populations in the southwestern North Sea and their link to other components of the benthic fauna. Journal of Sea Research, 55(2): 113-127