Seasonal variations in nematode assemblages on an Australian temperate ocean beach; the effect of heavy seas and unusually high tides

W. L. Nicholas*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    27 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Free-living nematodes inhabiting a sandy beach exposed to strong ocean waves were sampled at bimonthly intervals for two years. Six 1.3-1itre core samples were taken on each occasion down to a depth of 60 cm. The numbers of each species and their status as juveniles, males and females (with or without eggs) was recorded. In the common species all these stages occur throughout the year, but the population increases in the warmer months of the year and falls to a much lower level in winter. Most species are dispersed throughout the sand to a depth of at least 60 cm, but several species where almost always found below the water table at about 60 cm. The faunal composition of the nematode assemblages changed significantly from month to month. Additional samples were taken to monitor the effects of very strong waves coupled with a very high tide which remodelled the beach. The nematode fauna was partially reconstituted by this event. It is concluded that the intertidal beach fauna is a dynamic extension of the near shore sub-littoral nematode fauna.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)17-26
    Number of pages10
    JournalHydrobiologia
    Volume464
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 15 Nov 2001

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