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Nematodes stimulate biomass accumulation in a multispecies diatom biofilm
D'Hondt, A.-S.; Stock, W.; Blommaert, L.; Moens, T.; Sabbe, K. (2018). Nematodes stimulate biomass accumulation in a multispecies diatom biofilm. Mar. Environ. Res. 140: 78-89. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.06.005
In: Marine Environmental Research. Applied Science Publishers: Barking. ISSN 0141-1136; e-ISSN 1879-0291
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Non-open access 322569 [ request ]
Keywords
    Bacillariophyceae [WoRMS]; Bacteria [WoRMS]; Nematoda [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Meiofauna; Nematode; Microphytobenthos; Diatom; Bacteria; Intertidal ecosystems; Microcosm
Authors  Top 
  • D'Hondt, A.-S.
  • Stock, W.
  • Blommaert, L.
  • Moens, T.
  • Sabbe, K.
Abstract
    While the effects of abiotic parameters on microbial tidal biofilms are relatively well-documented, the effects of grazing and/or bioturbation by meiofauna are poorly understood. We investigated the impact of a natural nematode assemblage on the biomass and microbial community structure of a multispecies diatom biofilm. Nematodes stimulated diatom biomass accumulation of the biofilm and caused a shift in diatom community structure. Higher diatom biomass accumulation in the presence of nematodes could be the result of increased diatom biomass production through nutrient regeneration resulting from grazing or bioturbation, and/or through shifts in interspecific interactions between diatoms (e.g. competition) through selective grazing. Alternatively, lower biomass in the controls may be due to higher secretion of diatom production in the form of bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Our observations underscore that meiobenthos, and especially nematodes, are important for the structure and production of tidal biofilms.
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