Do the morphological and functional traits of free-living marine nematodes mirror taxonomical diversity?. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Semprucci, F.; Cesaroni, L.; Guidi, L.; Balsamo, M.
• Is Part Of: Marine environmental research. Volume 135(2018)
• Page Start: 114
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Nematoda -- Granulometry -- Morpho-functional diversity -- Physical stress -- Adaptations; Marine pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Marine ecology -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Écologie marine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 577.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-1136

Abstract

Abstract: The taxonomical structure and diversity of nematode assemblages are the main attributes analyzed in ecology, but nematode adaptations to their habitats are still understudied. Accordingly, a survey on some known and other newly proposed morpho-functional traits was carried out in order to: determine if the morpho-functional diversity of nematodes mirrors their taxonomical diversity; and assess potential nematode adaptations to sediment type and hydrodynamic stress. Morpho-functional traits were investigated both singularly and together and showed significant differences related to these environmental factors. The greatest taxonomical and morpho-functional diversity was found in medium-coarse sand (M-CS) and at an intermedium energy level (IEL). The M-CS and IEL were probably richer in micro-habitats and subject to a low selective pressure, hosting nematodes with a wide range of adaptations. The mirroring of morpho-functional diversity with taxonomical diversity is crucial for the future growth of the use of nematodes in biomonitoring. This is because the study of their morpho-functional traits could reduce the level of work involved and the costs of any analyses. Highlights: A survey on morpho-functional traits of nematodes was carried out in Maldives. Morpho-functional traits investigated both singularly and together showed significant differences related to sediment types and hydrodynamic stress. Medium-coarse sands and intermediate energy level appeared to host nematodes with a wide range of adaptations. Morpho-functional diversity is crucial because it could reduce the level of work involved and the costs of any analyses.