Spatial distribution patterns of meiofauna and the influencing environmental factors in the southern Yellow Sea in summer and autumn

Song Yuanliu; Liu Xiaoshou

doi:10.12284/hyxb2023020

Volume 45 Issue 1

Jan. 2023

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Song Yuanliu，Liu Xiaoshou. Spatial distribution patterns of meiofauna and the influencing environmental factors in the southern Yellow Sea in summer and autumn[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2023, 45(1)：38–52 doi: 10.12284/hyxb2023020

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Spatial distribution patterns of meiofauna and the influencing environmental factors in the southern Yellow Sea in summer and autumn

doi: 10.12284/hyxb2023020

Song Yuanliu^{1, 2
,},
Liu Xiaoshou^{1, 2
,
,}

1.
College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
2.
Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China

Received Date: 2022-07-22
Rev Recd Date: 2022-08-29

Available Online: 2022-09-09

Publish Date: 2023-01-09

Abstract

Abstract

To study the spatial distribution patterns of meiofauna in the southern Yellow Sea and the influencing environmental factors, two cruises were conducted in the southern Yellow Sea in August (summer) and November (autumn) 2020 to analyze the taxa composition, abundance, biomass, vertical distribution, community structure of meiofauna and their relationship with environmental factors. The results showed that a total of 15 taxa of meiofauna were identified, among which free-living marine nematode was the most dominant group, accounting for 75.6% and 84.6% of the total abundance of meiofauna in the two cruises, respectively. Other important groups were benthic copepods, rotifers and cladocerans. The average abundance of meiofauna in summer and autumn was (514.9±32.1) ind./(10 cm²) and (350.8±30.7) ind./(10 cm²), and the average biomass (dry weight) was (651.7±98.0) μg/(10 cm²) and (589.2±37.1) μg/(10 cm²), respectively. There were differences both in the spatial and temporal distribution of meiofauna. In terms of seasonal distribution, highly significant differences were found in the abundance and taxa composition of meiofauna. Combined with the analysis results of environmental factors, the sediment median diameter was the main environmental factor causing the differences. In terms of spatial distribution, the abundance of meiofauna and community structure differed significantly along the water depth gradient in summer, while no significant differences were found along the water depth gradient in autumn. The Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass was supposed to be the main factor affecting the spatial distribution of meiofauna in summer. The abundance and taxa diversity of meiofauna in this study were lower compared with other studies on meiofauna in the southern Yellow Sea. The sediment chlorophyll a and organic matter contents were the important factors causing the change in abundance of meiofauna in the southern Yellow Sea. The assessment of the abundance ratio of marine nematodes to copepods (N/C ratio) showed the presence of organic pollution in the area in autumn, while this result was not consistent with that of the macrofaunal assemblages in the environmental quality evaluation of the same area, and further studies are needed for the application of N/C ratio to evaluate the environmental quality.
- meiofauna,
- free-living marine nematodes,
- abundance,
- biomass,
- southern Yellow Sea

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