Free-living nematode assemblages along a water-depth gradient in the perdido belt, northwestern Gulf of Mexico

This study investigated nematode assemblages in the Perdido belt, northwestern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) in terms of species composition, distribution, density, and diversity. We examined 27 sediment samples collected at depths of 44-3466 m. The nematodes were identified at the lowest level possible and classified into four trophic groups based on their buccal cavity. Additionally, their sex and stage of life were determined. The sediment composition was determined, as well as the percentage of organic carbon (OC). The density per site fluctuated between 0.02 and 13.30 ind/10 cm². A total of 1768 nematodes were identified, belonging to 9 orders, 35 families, 96 genera, and 153 species, of which 9 genera and 15 species are new records for the GoM. The families Xyalidae and Comesomatidae were the most diverse genera (9 and 8, respectively). Sabatieria sp. 1 was the most abundant and widely distributed species. The number of species varied at different depths (range 1-60 species) and Pielou evenness (0.7-1). Most of the organisms collected were adult females. The non-selective deposit feeders were the most abundant (49%), followed by epigrowth feeders (20%). Most of the sites consisted of sand (range 10.1-70.2%). The percentage of OC varied at different depths (0.1-1.4%). No significant correlation was found between species richness and depth. The species composition changes with depth, density and most of the trophic groups tend to decrease with increasing depth. The dominant species are more related to the percentage of sands and silts than to clays and OC.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Vargas Espositos, Abel Abraham Maestro autor 12601, De Jesús Navarrete, Alberto Doctor autor 2040, Pérez Pech, Wilbert Andrés Maestro autor 19977, Pech Pool, Daniel Guadalupe Doctor autor 12323, Rocha Olivares, Axayácatl Doctor autor 22498, Martínez Mendoza, Ivonne autora 22499
Format:	Texto biblioteca
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Nemátodos marinos, Meiofauna, Taxonomía animal, Carbono orgánico, Sedimentos, Grupos tróficos, Zoogeografía,
Online Access:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103006
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