Editorial for Special Issue “Meiofauna Biodiversity and Ecology”

Semprucci, Federica; Sandulli, Roberto

doi:10.3390/d12060249

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 22 publications

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“…An alternative is that they may reflect small-organism activity in the cavities, and thus could be meiofauna. The concept of meiofauna (organisms of sizes between micro- and macro-fauna, up to 1 mm size) is well-developed in biological literature (Semprucci & Sandulli, 2020) but almost unknown in the ancient record (e.g. Knaust, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Keratose sponges in ancient carbonates – a problem of interpretation

Neuweiler

Kershaw

Boulvain

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Increasing current interest in sponge fossils includes numerous reports of diverse vermicular and peloidal structures interpreted as keratose sponges in Neoproterozoic to Mesozoic carbonates and in various open marine to peritidal and restricted settings. Reports of their occurrence are fundamental and far-reaching for understanding microfacies and diagenesis where they occur; and fossil biotic assemblages, as well as wider aspects of origins of animals, sponge evolution/ecology and the systemic recovery from mass extinctions. Keratose sponges: 1) have elaborate spongin skeletons but no spicules, thus lack mineral parts and therefore have poor preservation potential so that determining their presence in rocks requires interpretation; and 2) are presented in publications as interpreted fossil structures almost entirely in two-dimensional (thin section) studies, where structures claimed as sponges comprise diverse layered, network, particulate and amalgamated fabrics involving calcite sparite in a micritic groundmass. There is no verification of sponges in these cases and almost all of them can be otherwise explained; some are certainly not correctly identified. The diversity of structures seen in thin sections may be reinterpreted to include: a) meiofaunal activity; b) layered, possibly microbial (spongiostromate) accretion; c) sedimentary peloidal to clotted micrites; d) fluid escape and capture resulting in birdseye to vuggy porosities; and e) molds of siliceous sponge spicules. Without confirmation of keratose sponges in ancient carbonates, interpretations of their role in ancient carbonate systems, including facies directly after mass extinctions, are unsafe, and alternative explanations for such structures should be considered. This study calls for greater critical appraisal of evidence, to seek confirmation or not, of keratose sponge presence.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Keratose sponges in ancient carbonates – a problem of interpretation

Neuweiler

Kershaw

Boulvain

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Free-living nematodes research: State of the art, prospects, and future directions. A bibliometric analysis approach

Montanara

Baldrighi

Franzo

et al. 2022

Ecological Informatics

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Linking Biodiversity and Functional Patterns of Estuarine Free-Living Nematodes with Sedimentary Organic Matter Lability in an Atlantic Coastal Lagoon (Uruguay, South America)

Kandratavicius,

Giménez,

de Ward

et al. 2024

Diversity

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We examined the taxonomical and functional traits of free-living nematodes, focusing on their density by genus, maturity index (MI), and trophic diversity index (ITD) to determine whether these indices are sensitive to changes in the organic content of the sediment. Samples were collected in autumn and spring from 12 subtidal sampling stations in Rocha Lagoon, distributed between the outer (near the mouth) and the inner sector. We identified 26 genera, with higher abundance in the inner sector, likely due to increased organic matter and biopolymers. In spring, both sectors had sediments rich in fresh organic matter, dominated by deposit-feeding nematodes and showing low trophic diversity (high ITD values). In autumn, the inner sector maintained similar characteristics to spring sampling, while the outer one was dominated by older organic matter, predatory nematodes and higher trophic diversity. The MI showed low variation between sectors, suggesting a disturbed environment. Our findings support the use of ITD to assess other aspects of communities such as the response of trophic groups to the freshness of organic matter, while the MI seems less effective for assessing the ecological status of Rocha Lagoon. Understanding nematode biodiversity and functional traits is crucial for effective ecological quality assessments.

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Editorial for Special Issue “Meiofauna Biodiversity and Ecology”

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Keratose sponges in ancient carbonates – a problem of interpretation

Keratose sponges in ancient carbonates – a problem of interpretation

Free-living nematodes research: State of the art, prospects, and future directions. A bibliometric analysis approach

Linking Biodiversity and Functional Patterns of Estuarine Free-Living Nematodes with Sedimentary Organic Matter Lability in an Atlantic Coastal Lagoon (Uruguay, South America)

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