Effects of widespread human disturbances in the marine environment suggest a new agenda for meiofauna research is needed

Abstract

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Suitability of Free-Living Marine Nematodes as Bioindicators: Status and Future Considerations

“…Although much of the bioindication literature based on freeliving nematodes has focused on xenobiotics in the marine environment, there are good examples of scientists assessing marine nematode responses to physical disturbances. Notably, multiple microcosm studies, field experiments, and literature analyses have been conducted on the topic of nematode responses to physical disturbance (see Schratzberger and Warwick, 1998;Schratzberger et al, 2009;Schratzberger and Somerfield, 2020) and include work that demonstrates that benthic trawling frequency affects nematode community structure (Schratzberger and Jennings, 2002). Two recent works have assessed changes in the meiobenthos in response to the presence of artificial reefs (Semprucci et al, 2017;Yang et al, 2019), and there is a wealth of literature on the effects of urbanization on the benthos (see Felix et al, 2016;Pereira et al, 2018;Muresan et al, 2019).…”

Changes in taxonomic structure and functional traits of nematodes as tools in the assessment of port impact

“…Copper is now the main inorganic biocide used in antifouling systems, while zinc oxides and other chemical compounds are commonly added to paints as booster biocides (Briant et al, 2013). The high concentrations of these chemicals represent a persistent and ongoing threat for the benthos living in ports (Veiga et al, 2009;Briant et al, 2013;Sedano et al, 2014;Demopoulos et al, 2016;Schintu et al, 2016) and might have implications also for the sediments of the surrounding areas. In ports, anoxia phenomena are frequent and mainly due to the high inputs of organic matter that may determinate relevant recruitments of r-strategist species (Moreno et al, 2008;Ingole et al, 2009;Semprucci et al, 2018b).…”

“…Such organisms can give an insight of the response to contaminants at the individual or population levels of biological organization, but they cannot reflect the complexity of a community response (e.g., Beyrem et al, 2007;Balsamo et al, 2012;Schratzberger and Somerfield, 2020). Finally, mean ER-M quotients do not take into account the interactive effects of the pollutants (e.g., potential synergistic or antagonistic effects), assuming just an additive effect.…”

Taxonomic and functional nematode diversity in Maldivian coral degradation zones: patterns across reef typologies and depths

“…In general, the seabeds associated with reef bioconstructions are dynamic areas that are referred to as coral degradation zones (CDZs) (see Raes et al, 2007 ), where the sediments constitute the direct remains of corals, green algae ( Halimeda ), coralline red algae, foraminiferans, bryozoans, and molluscs, and are derived from the activity of bioeroders ( e.g ., boring sponges, sea urchins, and parrotfish) ( Janßen et al, 2017 ). The physical disturbance caused by anthropogenic activities ( e.g ., coastal development, bottom trawling, and the disposal of dredged material) may impact seabeds and, consequently, result in changes in invertebrate patterns in coastal systems ( Semprucci et al, 2017 ; Schratzberger & Somerfield, 2020 ).…”