Distribution patterns of the meiofauna in coral reefs from the NW shelf of Cuba
The meiofauna from 39 stations were surveyed in coral reefs from the NW shelf of Cuba to describe distribution patterns across five habitats. Temperature and salinity were homogeneous among habitats due to an extensive water exchange between the shelf and adjacent oceanic waters. The sedimentary environment in seagrass meadows was different compared to the other adjacent reef habitats (i.e. higher organic content and smaller grain size). Composition of the meiofauna changed across habitats; harpacticoid copepods tended to be more abundant in well sorted substrates; and nematodes predominated in finer sediments possibly due to their tolerance to hypoxic conditions. The high similarities in the meiofauna composition among reef habitats (patch reef, spur and groove, sandy and rocky flat), despite of different topography and dominant megafaunal groups, suggested the importance of sediment particle size as a factor influencing community structure. Meiofauna were more abundant in reef flats characterized by low topographical complexity, paucity of fishes and large macrofauna, and high exposure to water flow. Relative low densities of meiofauna in reef and muddy habitats from the NW region may be caused, at least partially, by oligotrophic conditions of the sediments.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Journal Contribution biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2009
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| Subjects: | Meiofauna, Coral reefs, Seagrass meadows, Distribution patterns, ASW, Cuba, Arrecifes coralinos, Pastos marinos, Patrones de distribución, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/42644 |
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