European Ocean Biodiversity Information System
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page
Diversity and vertical distribution of nematode assemblages: the Saguenay fjord (Quebec, Canada)
Tita, G.; Desrosiers, G.; Vincx, M.; Gagné, J.-P.; Locat, J. (2001). Diversity and vertical distribution of nematode assemblages: the Saguenay fjord (Quebec, Canada). Cah. Biol. Mar. 42(3): 263-274
In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open access 289182 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
    Aquatic communities > Benthos > Meiobenthos
    Check lists
    Dimensions > Size
    Distribution > Geographical distribution > Vertical distribution
    Species diversity
    Nematoda [WoRMS]
    ANW, Canada, Quebec, Saguenay Fjord [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    meiobenthos; nematodes; diversity; vertical distribution; size spectra; Saguenay fjord
Authors  Top 
  • Tita, G.
  • Desrosiers, G.
  • Vincx, M.
  • Gagné, J.-P.
  • Locat, J.
Abstract
    Three stations were sampled for a meiofaunal survey in the Saguenay fjord's inner basin (Quebec, Canada). Nematodes were the dominant taxon accounting for 90 % of total individuals. Twenty nematode families and 55 genera were found. Cluster analysis showed two different depth- segregated nematode assemblages, one in the surface layer (0-2 cm) and the other in the subsurface layer (2- 10 cm) of the sediment column. A comparison between abundance and biomass vertical distributions showed that smaller individuals were dominant in the surface sediment layer, while larger individuals dominated in subsurface sediment. Selective deposit-feeders were the most abundant feeding group, while epigrowth-feeders were dominant in terms of biomass. Diversity tended to decrease in downstream areas of the fjord. Species composition and size spectra at the three stations suggest the succession of different meiofaunal communities along the fjord. Abundance-biomass comparison (ABC) plots suggested that upstream areas were moderately disturbed. The difference between Shannon's index in terms of abundance and biomass (H'delta = H'abund - H'biom) is suggested to be a useful tool in detecting environmental disturbance.
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors