Balance Between Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Components and Processes in Microbenthic Communities of Sandy Sediments: A Field Study

The microscopic community of a microtidal sandy sediment on the Swedish west coast was studiedin situat two depths (0·5 and 4 m) on four occasions (January, April, August and October). Biomass of microalgae, bacteria, ciliates and meiofauna, as well as primary and bacterial productivity, were quantified. Meiofaunal grazing on algae and bacteria was measured simultaneously by radiolabelling intact sediment cores. Autotrophic biomass dominated the microbial community at both depths and on all sampling occasions, accounting for 47–87% of the microbial biomass. Meiofauna contributed 10–47%, while bacteria and ciliates together made up less than 6%. The microflora was dominated by attached (epipsammic) diatoms, but occasional ‘ blooms ’ of motile species occurred. Vital cells of planktonic diatoms contributed to benthic algal biomass in spring. Primary productivity exceeded bacterial productivity in April and August at both depths, while the balance was reversed in October and January. Meiofauna grazed between 2 and 12% of the algal biomass per day, and between 0·3 and 37% of the bacterial biomass. Almost an order of magnitude more algal (17–138 mg C m⁻²) than bacterial (0·1–33 mg C m⁻²) carbon was grazed daily. At the shallow site, primary productivity always exceeded grazing rates on algae, whereas at the deeper site, grazing exceeded primary productivity in October and January. Bacterial productivity exceeded grazing at both depths on all four occasions. Thus, meiofaunal grazing seasonally controlled microalgal, but not bacterial, biomass. These results suggest that, during summer, only a minor fraction (<10%) of the daily microbenthic primary production appears to enter the ‘ small food web ’ through meiofauna. During spring and autumn, however, a much larger fraction (≈30–60%) of primary production may pass through meiofauna. During winter, meiofaunal grazing is a less important link in the shallow zone, but at sublittoral depths, algal productivity may be limiting, and meiofauna depend on other food sources, such as bacteria and detritus.     

Metazoan meiofauna in deep-sea canyons and adjacent open slopes: A large-scale comparison with focus on the rare taxa

Metazoan meiofaunal abundance, total biomass, nematode size and the richness of taxa were investigated along bathymetric gradients (from the shelf break down to ca. 5000-m depth) in six submarine canyons and on five adjacent open slopes of three deep-sea regions. The investigated areas were distributed along >2500 km, on the Portuguese to the Catalan and South Adriatic margins. The Portuguese and Catalan margins displayed the highest abundances, biomass and richness of taxa, while the lowest values were observed in the Central Mediterranean Sea. The comparison between canyons and the nearby open slopes showed the lack of significant differences in terms of meiofaunal abundance and biomass at any sampling depth. In most canyons and on most slopes, meiofaunal variables did not display consistent bathymetric patterns. Conversely, we found that the different topographic features were apparently responsible for significant differences in the abundance and distribution of the rare meiofaunal taxa (i.e. taxa accounting for <1% of total meiofaunal abundance). Several taxa belonging to the temporary meiofauna, such as larvae/juveniles of Priapulida, Holothuroidea, Ascidiacea and Cnidaria, were encountered exclusively on open slopes, while others (including the Tanaidacea and Echinodea larvae) were found exclusively in canyons sediments. Results reported here indicate that, at large spatial scales, differences in deep-sea meiofaunal abundance and biomass are not only controlled by the available food sources, but also by the region or habitat specific topographic features, which apparently play a key role in the distribution of rare benthic taxa.     

Meiofaunal distributions on the Peru margin:: relationship to oxygen and organic matter availability

A quantitative study of metazoan meiofauna was carried out on bathyal sediments (305, 562, 830 and 1210 m) along a transect within and beneath the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) in the southeastern Pacific off Callao, Peru (12°S). Meiobenthos densities ranged from 1517 (upper slope, middle of OMZ) to 440–548 ind. 10 cm⁻² (lower slope stations, beneath the OMZ). Nematodes were the numerically dominant meiofaunal taxon at every station, followed by copepods and nauplii. Increasing bottom-water oxygen concentration and decreasing organic matter availability downslope were correlated with observed changes in meiofaunal abundance. The 300-m site, located in the middle of the OMZ, differed significantly in meiofaunal abundance, dominance, and in vertical distribution pattern from the deeper sites. At 305 m, nematodes amounted to over 99% of total meiofauna; about 70% of nematodes were found in the 2–5 cm interval. At the deeper sites, about 50% were restricted to the top 1 cm. The importance of copepods and nauplii increased consistently with depth, reaching ∼12% of the total meiofauna at the deepest site. The observation of high nematode abundances at oxygen concentrations <0.02 ml l⁻¹ supports the hypothesis that densities are enhanced by an indirect positive effect of low oxygen involving (a) reduction of predators and competitors and (b) preservation of organic matter leading to high food availability and quality. Food input and quality, represented here by chloroplastic pigment equivalents (CPE) and sedimentary labile organic compounds (protein, carbohydrates and lipids), were strongly, positively correlated with nematode abundance. By way of contrast, oxygen exhibited a strong negative correlation, overriding food availability, with abundance of other meiofauna such as copepods and nauplii. These taxa were absent at the 300-m site. The high correlation of labile organic matter (C-LOM, sum of carbon contents in lipids, proteins and carbohydrates) with CPE (Pearson's r=0.99, p<0.01) suggests that most of the sedimentary organic material sampled was of phytodetrital origin. The fraction of sediment organic carbon potentially available to benthic heterotrophs, measured as C-LOM/Total organic carbon, was on average 17% at all stations. Thus, a residual, refractory fraction, constitutes the major portion of organic matter at the studied bathyal sites.     

Temporal and spatial variation in the Nazaré Canyon (Western Iberian margin): Inter-annual and canyon heterogeneity effects on meiofauna biomass and diversity

The Nazaré Canyon on the Portuguese Margin (NE Atlantic) was sampled during spring-summer for three consecutive years (2005–2007), permitting the first inter-annual study of the meiofaunal communities at the Iberian Margin at two abyssal depths (~3500 m and ~4400 m). Using new and already published data, the meiofauna standing stocks (abundance and biomass) and nematode structural and functional diversity were investigated in relation to the sediment biogeochemistry (e.g. organic carbon, nitrogen, chlorophyll a, phaeopigments) and grain size. A conspicuous increase in sand content from 2005 to 2006 and decrease of phytodetritus at both sites, suggested the occurrence of one or more physical disturbance events. Nematode standing stocks and trophic diversity decreased after these events, seemingly followed by a recovery/recolonisation period in 2007, which was strongly correlated with an increase in the quantity and bioavailability of phytodetrital organic matter supplied. Changes in meiofauna assemblages, however, also differed between stations, likely because of the contrasting hydrodynamic and food supply conditions. Higher meiofauna and nematode abundances, biomass and trophic complexity were found at the shallowest canyon station, where the quantity, quality and bioavailability of food material were higher than at the deeper site. The present results suggest that even though inter-annual variations in the sedimentary environment can regulate the meiofauna in the abyssal Nazaré Canyon, heterogeneity between sampling locations in the canyon were more pronounced.     

Vertical Distribution of Meiobenthos in Bathyal Sediments of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea: Relationship with Labile Organic Matter and Bacterial Biomasses

Abstract. Quantitative information on the vertical distribution of meiofaunal abundances and biomass were obtained from samples collected at 3 bathyal stations in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea located at the same depth but characterized by different food supply. Vertical distribution patterns of nieiofauna were investigated in relation to the biochemical composition of the sediment organic matter (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) and compared to benthic bacterial standing stocks. No significant relationship between bacteria and meiofauna was found, whereas a significant relationship between protein and lipid concentrations and total meiofauna density was observed. These data suggest that labile organic matter. considered as material readily aVdihbk to benthic consumers, may be an important factor regulating meiofaunal abundance and vertical distribution in deep-sea sediments.     

胶州湾大沽河口小型底栖动物分布的季节变动

Sediment samples were collected in the intertidal zone of the Dagu River Estuary, Jiaozhou Bay, China in April,July and October 2010 and February 2011 for examining seasonal dynamics of meiofaunal distribution and their relationship with environmental variables. A total of ten meiofaunal taxa were identified, including free-living marine nematodes, benthic copepods, polychaetes, oligochaetes, bivalves, ostracods, cnidarians, turbellarians,tardigrades and other animals. Free-living marine nematodes were the most dominant group in both abundance and biomass. The abundances of marine nematodes were higher in winter and spring than those in summer and autumn. Most of the meiofauna distributed in the 0–2 cm sediment layer. The abundance of meiofauna in hightidal zone was lower than those in low-tidal and mid-tidal zones. Results of correlation analysis showed that Chlorophyll a was the most important factor to influence the seasonal dynamics of the abundance, biomass of meiofauna and abundances of nematodes and copepods. CLUSTER analysis divided the meiofaunal assemblages into three groups and BIOENV results indicated that salinity, concentration of organic matter, sediment sorting coefficient and sediment median diameter were the main environmental factors influencing the meiofaunal assemblages.     

Size partitioning of microbial and meiobenthic biomass and respiration on Brown's Bank, south-west Nova Scotia

Biomass and respiration (oxygen consumption) of bacteria, microfauna, and meiofauna were measured in coarse sand sediment from Brown's Bank (172 m) off Nova Scotia, Canada. Community biomass, excluding macrofauna, had a median value of 35 mg C m⁻², dominated by bacteria (51%), microfauna (25%), and a minor meiofauna component (2·5%). Protozoan microfauna were mostly microflagellates (colourless cryptomonads). The experimental design allowed partitioning of benthic metabolism without using subtraction from whole community rates. Addition-removal experiments with fauna separated into size categories were used to construct a respiration-biomass regression for all taxa. Respiration rates for faunal groups were then calculated from their biomass in the natural sediment. Total microbial and meiofaunal community respiration had a median rate of 0·55 ml O₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ which was partitioned into median proportions of bacteria (50%) microflagellates (27%), and metazoan meiofauna (4%). Correlations among faunal biomass values from incubated vials of sediment suggested that bacteria were important prey for protozoans. With added biomass of meiofauna, protozoans also became a potentially important source of prey. The results demonstrated the significance of microflagellate protozoans in these sediments and their metabolic and trophic importance relative to meiofauna and even bacteria.     

Habitat Provision for Meiofauna by Fucus serratus Epifauna with Particular Data on the Flatworm Monocelis lineata

Abstract. Fucus serratus provides a habitable site For much epifauna if conditions are right. Epifaunal colonies in their turn as well Provide habitats in which meiofauna can dwell. Thus micro-environment is provided which is Dependent on colony-species, -size and silt for its riches. Analysis of population data shows the facts are Turbellarian abundance rarely relates to other taxa, However the flatworms' population count Closely relates to total meiofaunal amount. Experiments on bryozoan-choice by Monocelis lineata show This worm prefers Flustrellidra as a place to go. This may in part be due to thigmotactic deference But mainly seems related to a feeding preference. In addition to behaviour towards food and concavity, Responses are shown to light, temperature, current and gravity. In the discussion thus it is partly explained How meiofauna finds epifauna and there is maintained.     

Meiofauna and chlorophyll associated with Beggiatoa mats of a natural submarine petroleum seep

Previous studies at the Isla Vista oil seep have suggested that meiofauna, particularly nematodes, might be an important factor in explaining macrofaunal enrichment by making bacterial biomass available to the benthic food web. To explore this possibility, we analyzed meiofaunal abundance and microalgal pigments inside and just outside of bacterial mats at this natural oil seep.The bacterial mats occur where crude oil and natural gas are actively seeping out of the sediment; cores from within the mats contained a great deal of crude oil (up to 50 %). Meiofaunal abundances were the same in and out of the bacterial mats (averaging 1·-9 × 10⁶ individuals m^-2). However, dramatic changes in community structure were noticed. Harpacticoids made up 19 % of the fauna outside the mats but only 1 % inside. Pigment concentrations were also the same in both sites with phaeophytin dominating chlorophyll (120 compared to 29.8 mg m^-2). The variance of both microalgal pigments and meiofauna was much greater inside than outside, suggesting that the bacterial mats are a more heterogeneous environment.Although the effect of crude oil toxicity is not clear, the high abundances of microbial and meiofaunal biomass support the hypothesis of benthic enrichment via microbes and meiofauna.     

Microphytobenthic biomass and species composition in intertidal flats of the Nakdong River estuary, Korea

Intertidal microphytobenthos (MPB) were investigated monthly from August 2006 to March 2008 at four different sites in the sand flats of Nakdong River estuary, Korea. Samples of surface sediment (ca. 1 cm) were collected, and chlorophyll a was extracted as biomass estimation. Species identification and enumeration were carried out by light microscopy, assisted where necessary by scanning electronic microscopy. Biomass varied between 0.47 and 16.58 μg cm⁻³, abundance changed from 5.25 to 414.75 × 10³ cells cm⁻³, while the Shannon diversity indexes ranged between 0.69 and 2.35 H′. Thirty-nine MPB taxa were identified, primarily composed of epipelic diatoms, among which Amphora and Navicula were the most abundant genera. Based on the biomass, abundance, species composition and their dynamics, MPB assemblages of sampling sites were grouped into three distinct communities corresponding to their sediment composition characteristics. Multivariate correlation analysis revealed that biomass was positively related to mud and very fine sand, negatively related to fine and medium sand, but not significantly related to environmental factors such as pore water nutrients, light intensity and salinity, which fluctuated rapidly during emersion period. Cluster analysis corroborated the division of MPB communities according to site types on seasonal scales, and also showed seasonality between sites by cluster of all summer groups. Principal component analysis identified that variability in species composition was significantly affected by mud, very fine sand, fine sand, light intensity, and sediment temperature. This study suggests that sediment composition plays an important role in the functioning of intertidal MPB communities in estuarine ecosystems.     

Marine reserves—the need for networks

Meiofauna associated with bryophyte and gravel habitats in two small alpine streams was investigated to determine its potential importance to stream communities. These invertebrates are traditionally neglected in stream surveys and their ecological roles poorly understood. Twenty‐one operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were found during the study, of which at least six were undescribed (two Copepoda and four Acarina). Meiofaunal densities were higher at the unshaded site than the shaded site, and higher within bryophyte than gravel habitats. Stepwise multiple regression analyses illustrated the importance of bryophytes to members of the meiofauna in each stream, and different meiofaunal communities were found associated with aquatic bryophytes and gravels. The high densities of Chironomidae, Nematoda, Copepoda, Tardigrada, and Rotifera associated with bryophytes may reflect the food value of the high periphyton biomass associated with these plants, and the shelter they offer from fast water currents. Although hyporheic meiofaunal taxa are known to move into interstices of mineral substratum for shelter, meiofauna associated with bryophytes dwell among stems and in leaf axils where they also find shelter. Because bryophyte‐dwelling meiofauna occur in very high densities, they probably play an important, if as yet unknown, role in energy transfer in streams.     

Mud volcanoes in the Mediterranean Sea are hot spots of exclusive meiobenthic species

Mud volcanoes are cold seeps, in which the escape of gas and fluids associated with mud creates 3-D bottom structures that enhance the spatial heterogeneity and potentially alter the functioning of the benthic ecosystems. We investigated a complex system of mud volcanoes of the Mediterranean Sea characterised by the presence of different structures (i.e., isolated domes, domes surrounded by moats, clustered domes, and ridges) displaying different levels of seepage. We hypothesize that the combined effects of seafloor heterogeneity (i.e., different 3-D structures as revealed by detailed topographic analysis), fluid emissions and trophic characteristics of these systems can influence the structural and functional biodiversity of meiofauna (with special focus on the nematodes). We found that sediments affected by intensive seepage displayed the lowest faunal abundances and number of higher taxa. However, mud volcanoes without emissions, but characterized by a high structural complexity (such as the ridges), were associated with the highest meiofaunal abundances and number of higher taxa. Mud volcanoes hosted also a remarkable abundance of rare taxa specifically associated with these structures (e.g., acarians, cumaceans, tanaids, cladocerans and hydroids) and absent in slope sediments (used as a control). Each mud-volcano area displayed a different nematode species composition. Overall 76 nematode species (from a total of 235) were exclusively associated with mud-volcano structures, whilst 29 were exclusively encountered in slope sediments. We conclude that the presence of mud volcanoes, for their contribution to increase spatial heterogeneity and for the extreme conditions associated with gas emissions, promotes higher levels of beta diversity, thus enhancing the regional (gamma) benthic diversity. These findings provide new insights on the factors controlling meiobenthic biodiversity in mud volcanoes and clues for future action of conservation of the biodiversity specifically associated with these habitats.     

Bathymetric patterns of meiofaunal abundance and biomass associated with the Kuril and Ryukyu trenches, western North Pacific Ocean

The abundance and biomass of metazoan meiofauna and their relationships with environmental factors [chloroplastic pigment equivalents (CPE) and sediment characteristics] were studied quantitatively around and within the Kuril Trench (560-7090 m) and the Ryukyu Trench (1290-7150 m), which are located in eutrophic and oligotrophic regions, respectively, of the western North Pacific. Faunal abundance and biomass, as well as the CPE content of sediments, were considerably higher in the Kuril region than in the Ryukyu region. In both cases, CPE tended to decrease with water depth, but relatively high values were found in the deepest areas, suggesting that organic matter has accumulated in both trenches. Meiofaunal abundance and biomass were lower than expected from sediment CPE values at hadal stations below 6000 m. Differences in the density and biomass of meiofauna between these two trenches appeared to reflect differences in overall ocean productivity above them. When the analysis was restricted to each region, however, no association was found between the abundance and biomass of meiofauna and food availability. Furthermore, the factors regulating the bathymetric patterns in these meiofaunal parameters appeared to differ between the two trenches.     

Meiofaunal Colonization of Artificial Substrates in an Estuarine Embayment

Abstract. Artificial substrates were used to investigate the cryptic meiofauna of a Louisiana estuary. Three types of collectors were used as artificial habitats in colonization studies. Mesh collectors (composed of a plastic thread, approximately 74 m long, woven into a pad) and bottle brushes (with approximately 4400 plastic bristles per brush, each 2.5 mm long) were colonized equally well by meiofauna; Hester-Dendy plates with less structural complexity were colonized at a slower rate, especially by copepods. Nematodes and harpacticoid copepods were always the two most abundant meiofaunal taxa collected. Mesh collectors were retrieved in July and December after a 2-week colonization period to examine seasonal trends. Starting in December, a long-term colonization study was also performed to determine if an equilibrium abundance could be achieved; artificial substrates were collected after 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Meiofauna achieved high abundances (means ranged from 1000 – 20,000 individuals per collector) on artificial substrates regardless of season, and abundance was related to supply, water flow and capture efficiency of the substrates as well as behavior of the meiofauna. Copepod species diversity was low (6 species were observed in July and 11 in December). Diversity and evenness were significantly different between July and December, and among the three collections in the long-term study. The copepod species assemblage qualitatively differed between July and December. Our data suggest that an abundant and dynamic but understudied meiofaunal assemblage is present in this estuarine embayment. This assemblage is not associated with macroalgae but rather related to presence of hard substrates and seasonally abundant filamentous microalgae.     

The occurrence of ‘epipsammic’ diatom populations: A result of interaction between physical sorting of sediment and certain properties of diatom species

The role of ‘sand’ (particles >55 μm) as a substratum for benthic diatoms was investigated, using sediments collected from tidal flats and main channels in the Ems estuary. On average, 13% of the sand grains were occupied by one or more diatom cells. It appeared that 80% of the diatom cells in this fraction were present in or on mud coating the sand grains. Of the sand grains in the water, 7% were occupied by diatom cells. The preference of benthic diatoms for the mud coatings rather than the bare parts of the sand grains stresses the importance of ‘mud’ (particles <55 μm) as a substratum for diatoms on the tidal flats. This was confirmed by separate cell counts for the mud and sand fractions.Of the sand grains with attached diatoms, the mean number of diatom cells per grain in the water was similar to that on the tidal flats. This indicates a large exchange of sand between tidal flats and channels. A similar exchange between tidal flats and possibly a shift in the species composition. These processes suggested by the striking similarities in cell number distribution and species composition in samples from these two habitats. However, on exposed tidal flats certain species were present in lower numbers than in the channels, indicating that loosely attached diatoms can be scoured off their substratum. Consequently, two factors are assumed to contribute to the dynamics of the species composition of benthic diatoms. The first is the adhesion capacity of diatoms and the second is sediment sorting by currents and waves. These factors cause a differential but significant flux of benthic diatoms to and from the channels, followed by changes over time in the diatom populations on the tidal flats and possibility a shift in the species composition. These processes show that the terms ‘epipelic’ and ‘epipsammic’ are not helpful to classify the main components of the diatom flora in this estuary.     

长江口及邻近陆架海区夏季小型底栖动物群落结构研究

根据2006年7月13日至8月30日在长江口及邻近陆架海区采集的小型底栖动物样品,对小型底栖动物类群组成,丰度、生物量的水平分布和垂直分布以及调查海区的环境因子进行了研究。结果表明：研究海域小型底栖动物有线虫、桡足类、多毛类、寡毛类、介形类、螨类、双壳类、腹毛类、动吻类、端足类和等足类等11个类群及无节幼体等。平均丰度为453.22±355.34 ind/10 cm2,最优势类群为线虫,占小型底栖动物总丰度的81.37%,次优势类群分别为底栖桡足类和多毛类,分别占小型底栖动物总丰度的10.13%和2.96%。平均生物量为622.65±505.07 μg/10 cm2,生物量占比最高的类群为多毛类,占总生物量的30.21%,其次分别为线虫和寡毛类,分别占小型底栖动物总生物量的23.69%和19.44%。水平分布上,从河口冲淡水区到东海陆架深水区,小型底栖生物丰度呈现由低到高的变化趋势,杭州湾小型底栖动物丰度为240.96±223.47 ind/10 cm2,长江口近岸区为442.91±304.16 ind/10 cm2,东海陆架深水区为865.42±553.88 ind/10 cm2。垂直分布上,小型底栖动物主要分布在0~2 cm层,丰度为290.28±250.03 ind/10 cm2;其次是2~5 cm层,丰度为132.81±128.74 ind/10 cm2;5~10 cm层分布最少,丰度为30.14±31.91 ind/10 cm2。其中线虫、多毛类、寡毛类与桡足类等主要类群的垂直分布与总分布趋势相同。与环境因子进行相关分析表明,调查海区小型底栖动物的丰度主要与水深、盐度和溶解氧显著相关,对小型底栖动物分布影响最大的环境因子组合为溶解氧和盐度。     

Temporal changes (1989–1999) in deep-sea metazoan meiofaunal assemblages on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain,NE Atlantic

Trends among major metazoan meiofaunal taxa were investigated based on 56 deployments of a multicorer at 10 time points over a period of 11 years (1989–1999) at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain Sustained Observatory site (PAP-SO: 48°50′N 16°30′W, 4850 m depth). This area is characterised by a strong seasonality in the deposition of organic matter to the seafloor and by the massive increase in the density of holothurian species since 1996, the so-called ‘Amperima event’. Total meiofaunal densities ranged from 346 to 1074 ind.×10 cm⁻² and showed a significant increase with time when time was represented by cruises, years and the ‘Amperima period’ (1996–1999) vs. the pre-Amperima period (1989–1994). This pattern was driven mainly by the nematodes, which were the dominant taxon (∼90% of total abundance). The third most abundant group, the polychaetes, also increased significantly in abundance over the time series, while the ostracods showed a significant decrease. Most other taxa, including the second-ranked group, the copepods (harpacticoids and nauplii), did not exhibit significant temporal changes in abundance. Ordination of taxon composition showed a shift from the pre-Amperima to the Amperima periods, a trend supported by the significant correlation between the x-ordinate and time. The majority (52–75%) of meiofaunal animals inhabited the top 2 cm of the 5 cm sediment cores analysed. There were significant increases in the proportion of total meiofauna, nematodes and copepods (but not polychaetes) inhabiting the 0–1 cm layer over time (represented by cruises) and between the pre-Amperima and Amperima periods in the case of copepods and polychaetes. During the intensively sampled period (1996–1997), there were indications of seasonal changes in the vertical distribution patterns of total meiofauna and nematodes within the sediment. We discuss the potential link between temporal variations in organic matter flux to the seafloor and meiofaunal populations, considering both qualitative and quantitative changes in fluxes and how they may be linked to climate variations.     

Spatial and ecologic distribution of neglected microinvertebrate communities across endangered ecosystems: meiofauna in Bali (Indonesia)

Biodiversity estimations, particularly in vulnerable tropical regions, are essential to understanding ecosystem structure, function and conservation. While threats to marine and terrestrial ecosystems have fueled increased interest in biodiversity research, information on meiofauna, a key trophic and ecologic community of microscopic organisms that lives within sediments, is still lacking. Here we report the results of a faunistic investigation conducted in Bali, Indonesia. The results reveal that the biodiversity of marine meiofauna in Bali is very high. Meiofauna from coral reefs, sand flats and seagrass beds differed significantly in abundance and diversity. Nonetheless, overall community compositions show that meiofauna communities are affected by environmental variables. The high meiofaunal diversity observed in Bali, a low diversity region of the Coral Triangle, indicates the importance of further meiofaunal research across this region and across a broader diversity of habitats. The data presented provide an important baseline for future studies on biodiversity conservation in the face of environmental changes due to anthropogenic impacts and/or natural events.     

渤海底栖桡足类群落结构的研究

渤海1998年9月航次的调查结果.小型底栖生物总平均丰度为(8688±5097)个/m2,底栖桡足类居第2位,平均丰度为(663±569)个/m2,占总数量的76%.根据77种底栖桡足类丰度所做的聚类和标序分析将渤海20个站位划分为4个组合.根据11种环境因子数据所做的聚类和主成分分析将研究海域划分为两个生境、4个亚区.对研究海域进行的分区与自然分区是基本一致的.支配研究海域底栖桡足类群落结构的主要环境因子是水深和沉积物粒度.