Diversity patterns of free‐living marine nematodes in the southwest continental shelf off Bay of Bengal and their link to abiotic variables

• Published in: Marine ecology (Berlin, West) West), 2016-06, Vol.37 (3), p.631-644
• Main Authors: Ansari, Kapuli Gani Mohamed Thameemul, Lyla, Somasundharanair, Ajmal Khan, Syed, Bhadury, Punyasloke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bay of Bengal; community structure; continental shelf; diversity; free-living marine nematodes; Marine; Metachromadora; Nematoda; Sabatieria
• ISSN: 0173-9565; 1439-0485
• DOI: 10.1111/maec.12332

Marine sediments in continental shelf ecosystems harbor a rich biodiversity of benthic communities. In this study, the spatial and temporal diversity and community assemblages of free‐living marine nematodes were studied by sampling at six depths and over 3 years from the southwest continental shelf off Bay of Bengal, one of the least explored tropical shelf ecosystems. The dominant marine nematode species were related with abiotic variables as part of this study. The effects of sediment granulometry generally decreased with increasing depth and the highest nematode density and species diversity were recorded on coarse sand (shallower depths). Multivariate analysis of the nematode community data showed that community structure differed significantly among depths as well as among years. Statistical analyses showed significant correlations between the nematode community and abiotic variables. Sediment texture, organic matter, water pressure and depth profile were crucial factors for determining diversity, vertical profile and feeding types of the nematode community. Other environmental factors, including anthropogenic pressure, did not have an effect on nematode diversity except for the presence of some tolerant species (Metachromadora spp., Sabatieria spp. and Siplophorella sp.). This study represents a baseline of knowledge of free‐living marine nematode communities that can be used in the future to compare nematode assemblages from temperate shelf ecosystems.