Spatial and temporal variations of the subtidal meiobenthic community of the central coast of Venezuela
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15359/revmar.12-2.5Keywords:
Caribbean Sea, community structure, marine ecology, meiobenthos, meiofaunaAbstract
Meiobenthos is a sediment-dwelling community with various taxonomic groups ranging in size from 63 to 500 µm. As a matter and energy link between primary producers and macrofauna, they have other functions in the ecosystem. Since this group has been scarcely studied in Venezuela, it was proposed to analyze the spatial and temporal variations in the composition and abundance of subtidal meiobenthos in the country's central coast. Samplings were conducted monthly from June 2014 to March 2015. In each sampling campaign, 12 random stations were established, and three samples were taken at each using a cylindrical sampler of 5.0 cm internal diameter. Organisms were identified and counted using microscopes, and data was processed using hypothesis tests (ANOSIM) and multivariate analyzes (SIMPER, nMDS). Meiobenthos showed a richness of 164 morphotypes and 14 phyla, with a dominance of planktonic copepods and foraminifers, followed by cnidarians and mollusks. Out of the total species reported, 84 are strictly benthic. Regarding abundance, there was a greater representation of foraminifera, followed by nematodes and mollusks, with values higher than those reported for tropical areas. Spatially, no differences were found in the composition and abundance of this community. However, two maximums were found throughout the study period, one starting in June until reaching maximum densities between August and October and the second one in February
References
Alfonso, H. & López, C. (2006). Distribución espacio-temporal de la meiofauna béntica en cuatro playas del Litoral Norte de la Habana. Rev. Biol. Trop., 54(3), 985-995. https://doi.org/10.15517/RBT.V54I3.14078
Ansari, K., Lyla, P. & Ajmal-Khan, S. (2012). Faunal composition of metazoan meiofauna from the southeast continental shelf of India. Indian J. Mar. Sci., 41(5), 457-467.
Armenteros, M., Ruiz-Abierno, A., Fernández-Garcés, R., Pérez-García, J., Díaz-Asencio, L., Vincx, M. & Decraemer, W. (2009). Biodiversity patterns of free-living marine nematodes in a tropical bay: Cienfuegos, Caribbean Sea. Estuar. Coast. Shelf. Sci., 85, 179-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2009.08.002
Avilés-Ramírez, G., González-León, J., Poot-Esparza, A., Medina-García, M. & Rojas-González, R. (2016). Influencia de arrecifes artificiales reef ball de la ensenada de Xpicob, sobre la estructura de la meiofauna y sedimentos recientes. Agroproductividad, 9(9), 44-49.
Baia, E. & Venekey, V. (2019). Distribution patterns of meiofauna on a tropical macrotidal sandy beach, with special focus on nematodes (Caixa d’Água, Amazon Coast, Brazil). Braz. J. Oceanogr., 67, e19230. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592019023006701
Bezerra, T., Decraemer, W., Eisendle-Flöckner, U., Hodda, M., Holovachov, O., Leduc, D., … & Vanreusel, A. (2020). Nemys: World Database of Nematodes. http://nemys.ugent.be
Castellanos, P., Varela, R. & Müller-Karger, F. (2002). Descripción de las áreas de surgencia al sur del mar Caribe examinadas con el sensor infrarrojo AVHRR. Mem. Soc. Cs. Nat. La Salle, 154, 55-76.
Chindah, A. & Braide, S. (2001). Meiofauna occurrence and distribution in different substrate types of bonny brackish wetland of the Niger Delta. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manag., 5, 33-41. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v5i1.54937
Clarke, K., Gorley, R., Somerfield, P. & Warwick, R. (2014). Change in marine communities: An approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. United Kingdom: PRIMER-E, Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
Conway, D. (2012a). Marine zooplankton of southern Britain. Part 1: Radiolaria, Heliozoa, Foraminifera, Ciliophora, Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Rotifera and Mollusca. In A. John (Ed.), Occasional Publications (pp. 1-138). England: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
Conway, D. (2012b). Marine zooplankton of southern Britain. Part 2: Arachnida, Pycnogonida, Cladocera, Facetotecta, Cirripedia and Copepoda. In A. John (Ed.), Occasional Publications (pp. 1-163). England: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
Coull, B. (1970). Shallow water meiobenthos off the Bermuda platform. Oecologia, 4, 325-357. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393393
Coull, B. (1999). Role of meiofauna in estuarine soft-bottom habitats. Aust. J. Ecol., 24, 327-343. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-9993.1999.00979.x
Coull, B. & Bell, S. (1979). Perspectives of marine meiofaunal ecology. In R. Livingston (Ed.). Ecological Processes in Coastal and Marine Systems (pp. 189-216). USA: Plenum Publishing Corporation. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9146-7_10
Day, J. (1967). A monograph on the polychaeta of Southern Africa. England.: British Museum Natural History. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.8596
Decho, A., Hummon, W. & Fleeger, J. (1985). Meiofauna-sediment interactions around subtropical seagrass sediments using factor analysis. J. Mar. Res., 43, 237-255. https://doi.org/10.1357/002224085788437389
Díaz-Asencio, L., Armenteros, M., Díaz-Asencio, M., Fernández-Garcés, R., Gómez-Batista, M. & Alonso-Hernández, C. (2009). Spatial and temporal variations of meiofaunal communities in Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba. Rev. Biol. Mar. Oceanogr., 44(1), 13-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-19572009000100002
Dupuy, C., Thanh, H., Mizrahi, D., Jourde, J., Bréret, M., Arogué, H., … & Bocher, P. (2015). Structure and functional characteristics of the meiofauna community in highly unstable intertidal mudbanks in Suriname and French Guiana (North Atlantic coast of South America). Cont. Shelf Res., 110, 39-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2015.09.019
Dye, A. & Lasiak, T. (1986). Microbenthos, meiobenthos and fiddler crabs: trophic interactions in a tropical mangrove sediment. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 32, 259-264. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps032259
Edwards, C. (2009). Meiobenthos of the discovery Bay Lagoon, Jamaica, with an emphasis on nematodes. (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of London, England.
Fiers, F. (1984). Harpacticoid copepods from the West Indian Islands: Canuellidae and Longipediidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida). Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde, 54(2), 197-210. https://doi.org/10.1163/26660644-05402006
Fiers, F. (1986a). Harpacticoid copepods from the West Indian Islands: Laophontidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoda). Amsterdam Expedition to the West Indian Islands, Report 48. Bijd. Dierkunde, 56, 132-164. https://doi.org/10.1163/26660644-05601009
Fiers, F. (1986b). Harpacticoid copepods from the West Indian Islands: Darcythompsoniidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida). Amsterdam Expedition to the West Indian Islands, Report 51. Bijd. Dierkunde, 56, 282-290. https://doi.org/10.1163/26660644-05602008
Fiers, F. (1995). New Tetragonicipitidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Yucatecan continental shelf (Mexico), including a revision of the genus Diagoniceps Willey. Bull. Inst. R. Sci. Nat. Belg., 65, 151-236.
Giere, O. (2009). Meiobenthology - the microscopic motile fauna of aquatic sediments. Germany: Springer-Verlag.
Gourbault, N., Warwick, R. & Helléouet, M. (1998). Spatial and temporal variability in the composition and structure of meiobenthic assemblages (especially nematodes) in tropical beaches (Guadeloupe, FWI). Cah. Biol. Mar., 39, 29-39. https://doi.org/10.21411/CBM.A.452BA5CD
Guzmán, H., Obando, V. & Cortés, J. (1987). Meiofauna associated with a Pacific coral reef in Costa Rica. Coral Reefs, 6, 107-112. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301379
Hammer, O., Harper, D. & Ryan, P. (2001). PAST: Paleontological statistics software package for education and data analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica, 4(1), 1-9. http://palaeo-electronica.org/2001_1/past/issue1_01.htm
Hansen, J., Alongi, D., Moriarty, D. & Pollard, P. (1987). The dynamics of benthic microbial communities at Davies Reef, central Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs, 6, 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00301375
Herrera, A. & Bone, D. (2011). Influence of riverine outputs on sandy beaches of Higuerote, central coast of Venezuela. Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res., 39(1), 56-70. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-560X2011000100006
Johnson, W. & Allen, D. (2012). Zooplankton of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. A guide to their identification and ecology. USA: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Kitahashi, T., Kayama, H., Tsuchiya, M., Yamamoto, H. & Yamamoto, H. (2018). A new method for acquiring images of meiobenthic images using the FlowCAM. MethodsX, 5, 1330-1335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2018.10.012
Kumary, A. (2016). Temporal variations in the distribution of interstitial meiofauna along the southwest coast of India. J. Climatol. Weather Forecast., 4(3), 178-141. https://doi.org/10.4172/2332-2594.1000178
Liñero, I., Ojeda, S. & Amaro, M. (2013). Variación espacio-temporal de la meiofauna submareal en una playa arenosa nororiental de Venezuela. Rev. Biol. Trop., 61(1), 59-73. https://doi.org/10.15517/RBT.V61I1.10884
Martín, A., Malavé, L., Sánchez, D., Aparicio, R., Arocha, F., Bone, D., … & Zoppi, E. (2007). Línea base ambiental Plataforma Deltana. Venezuela: Petróleos de Venezuela, S. A., Universidad Simón Bolívar.
Mokievskii, V., Udalov, A. & Azovskii, A. (2007). Quantitative distribution of meiobenthos in deep-water zones of the world ocean. Oceanology, 47(6), 797-813. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437007060057
Moncreiff, C. & Sullivan, M. (2001). Trophic importance of epiphytic algae in subtropical seagrass beds: Evidence from multiple stable isotope analyses. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 215, 93-106. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps215093
Netto, S., Attrill, M. & Warwick, R. (2003). The relationship between benthic fauna, carbonate sediments and reef morphology in reef-flat tidal pools of Rocas Atoll (north-east Brazil). J. Mari. Biol. Assoc. UK, 83, 425-432. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315403007288h
Osorio-Dualiby, D. & Álvarez-León, R. (2011). Characterization of meiobenthos in areas of coastal influence by two companies located in the industrial zone of Mamonal, Cartagena Bay, Colombia. Arq. Ciên. Mar., Fortaleza, 44(1), 81-96.
Owre, H. & Foyo, M. (1967). Copepods of the Florida Current with illustrated keys to genera and species. USA: Institute of Marine Science, University of Miami.
Páez, M., Zúñiga, O., Valdés, J. & Ortlieb L. (2001). Foraminíferos bentónicos recientes en sedimentos micróxicos de la bahía Mejillones del Sur (23º S), Chile. Rev. Biol. Mar. Oceanogr., 36, 129-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-19572001000200002
Pereira, C., Fernández, A., Hernández, V. & Troccoli-Ghinaglia, L. (2020). Ocurrencia de floraciones nocivas de microalgas en las costas del estado Miranda, Venezuela. Cienc. Amb. Clima, 3(1), 55-71. https://doi.org/10.22206/cac.2020.v3i1.pp55-71
Pérez-García, J., Ruiz-Abierno, A. & Armenteros, M. (2020). A checklist of aquatic nematodes from Cuban Archipelago. Zootaxa, 4731(3), 301-320. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4731.3.1
Platt, H. & Warwick, R. (1983). Free-living marine nematodes. Part 1. British Enoplids. England: The Linnean Society of London, The Estuarine and Brackish-Water Sciences Association.
Platt, H. & Warwick, R. (1988). Free-living marine nematodes. Part 2. British Chromadorids. Netherlands: The Linnean Society of London, The Estuarine and Brackish-water Sciences Association.
Reyes, J., Godoy, A. & Casler, C. (1999). Invertebrados bentónicos del bosque de manglar de la ciénaga de Los Olivitos, Venezuela. Bol. Centro Invest. Biol., 33(3), 227-241.
Ruiz-Abierno, A. & Armenteros, M. (2016). Coral reef habitats strongly influence the diversity of macroand meiobenthos in the Caribbean. Mar. Biodiv., 47, 101-111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-016-0553-7
Sabbatini, A., Morigi, C., Nardelli, M. & Negri, A. (2014). Foraminifera. In S. Goffredo & Z. Dubinsky (Eds.). The Mediterranean Sea: Its history and present challenges (pp. 237-256). England: Springer Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6704-1
Schnack-Schiel, S. & Isla, E. (2005). The role of zooplankton in the pelagic-benthic coupling of the Southern Ocean. Sci. Mar., 69(2), 39-55. https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2005.69s239
Schwarz, T. (2014). AmbiWeb GmbH. Clima Higuerote. https://es.climate-data.org/america-del-sur/venezuela/estado-miranda/higuerote-27656/
Solé, M. & Vera, B. (1997). Caracterización de las macroalgas marinas bénticas en la región Chirimena-Punta Caimán, Edo. Miranda, Venezuela. Carib. J. Sci., 33(3-4), 180-190.
Soltwedel, T. (2000). Metazoan meiobenthos along continental margins: a review. Progr. Oceanogr., 46, 59-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6611(00)00030-6
Suárez-Morales, E. & Gasca, R. (1997). Copépodos (Crustacea) de las aguas superficiales del Mar Caribe Mexicano (mayo, 1991). Rev. Biol. Trop., 45, 1523-1529.
Todd, C. & Laverack, M. (1991). Coastal marine zooplankton: a practical manual for students. USA: Cambridge University Press.
Trégouboff, G. & Rose, M. (1967a). Manuel de planctonologie Méditerranéenne. Tome I, texto. France: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.
Trégouboff, G. & Rose, M. (1967b). Manuel de planctonologie Méditerranéenne. Tome II, planches. France: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.
Vásquez-Suárez, A., González, M., Díaz, O. & Liñero, I. (2010). Variación temporal de la meiofauna en sedimentos del sistema lagunar "Laguna de Raya", estado Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. Interciencia, 35(2), 144-150.
Venekey, V., Parreira, P. & Gomes, V. (2014). The influence of tidal and rainfall cycles on intertidal nematodes: a case study in a tropical sandy beach. Braz. J. Oceanogr., 62(4), 247-256. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-87592014061706204
Wang, X., Liu, X. & Xu, J. (2019). Distribution patterns of meiofauna assemblages and their relationship with environmental factors of deep sea adjacent to the Yap Trench, Western Pacific Ocean. Front. Mar. Sci., 6(735), 1-12. http://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00735
Warwick, R., Platt, H. & Somerfield, P. (1998). Free-living marine nematodes. Part 3. British Monhysterids. England: The Linnean Society of London, The Estuarine and Brackish-Water Sciences Association, Cambridge University.
Warwick, R. (2018). The contrasting histories of marine and freshwater meiobenthic research-result of differing life histories and adaptive strategies? J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 502, 4-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2017.05.008
Wells, J. B. J. (1978). Keys to aid in the identification of marine harpacticoid copepods. Amendment Bull. No. 1. Zoology Publi. Victoria Univ. Wellington., 70, 1-11.
Wells, J. B. J. (1979). Keys to aid in the identification of marine harpacticoid copepods. Amendment Bull. No. 1. Zoology Publi. Victoria Univ. Wellington., 72, 1-8.
Willey, A. (1930). Harpacticoid Copepoda from Bermuda. Part. I. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 6, 81-114. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933008673192
Willey, A. (1932). Copepod phenology. Observations based on new material from Canada and Bermuda. Atti del Congresso Internazionale Zoologica, 1930. Archo. Zool. Ital., 16(2), 601-617.
Willey, A. (1935). Harpacticoid Copepoda from Bermuda. Part. II. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 15, 50-100. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933508654944
Woods, D. & Tietjen, J. (1985). Horizontal and vertical distribution of meiofauna in the Venezuela Basin. Mar. Geol., 68, 233-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/0025-3227(85)90014-3
Wołowicz, M., Sokołowski, A., Urban-Malinga, B. & Szymelfenig, M. (2011). Meiofauna as consumers in coastal food webs. In E. Wolanski & D. McLusky (Eds). Treatise on estuarine and coastal science (pp. 173-202). Poland: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-374711-2.00611-2
WoRMS Editorial Board. (2020). World Register of Marine Species. http://www.marinespecies.org
Zaleha, K., Nasiratul, M., Siang, H. & Kamaruzzaman, B. (2016). Trend of meiobenthos density and composition in Karah Island, South China Sea. Sains Malaysiana, 45(7), 1019-1024.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
General terms and conditions
Revista Ciencias Marinas y Costeras by Universidad Nacional is located under a Licencia Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 3.0 Costa Rica.
The journal is hosted in open-access repositories such as the Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Nacional, the Repositorio Kimuk de Costa Rica and la Referencia.
The editorial source of the journal must be acknowledged. For this purpose, use the doi identifier of the publication.
Self-archiving policy: The journal allows the self-archiving of articles in their refereed version, edited and approved by the Editorial Board of the Journal so that they are available in Open Access through the Internet. More information at the following link: https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/28915
