Ecological studies on sediment meiofauna in a seagrass (Zostera marina) bed, with special reference to nematodes

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Sediment meiofauna in and around the seagrass bed were quantitatively studied at Yojiro beach in Kagoshima city, south Kyushu. Sampling was carried out at three stations every 3 months from November 1982 to August 1983. The temporal variations in total density of meiobenthic higher taxonomic groups and the species composition of nematodes are described, and the similarity among stations examined. Nematodes, the most dominant group (74-99%), was studied in detail. Seventy three species were identified. The depth distribution of some dominant species was determined. Except for the deep burrowing species, Cobbia trefusiaeformis, which characterized the summer sample at stn.II, 75-85% of total nematodes concentrated in the upper 3cm of the sediment. The relation between the distribution of feeding types nematode species and the nature of sediment is discussed.