What makes a better indicator? Taxonomic vs functional response of nematodes to estuarine gradient

Disentangling the Effect of Seasonal Dynamics on Meiobenthic Community Structure From River Matla of Sundarbans Estuarine System, India

“…Thus, dominance of non-selective deposit feeders could be a potential indicator of low oxygen levels related to different types of disturbances. Similar findings were documented by Alves et al (2014) and Sroczyńska et al (2020) for nematode communities in the Mondego and Sado estuaries of Portugal, correspondingly. Beside this, a marked increase in the population of epistrate feeders Desmodora communis, D. scaldensis, Dorylaimopsis punctata, Monoposthia costata, and Paracomesoma dubium after monsoon further reinforces the premise of a microalgal peak in winter and spring (Figure 7C).…”

“…Due to their irreplaceable ecological functions, such as high productivity, nutrient enrichment, and ephemeral habitats for reproduction, feeding, and nurseries for a variety of animals (Beck et al, 2001;Gili, 2002), estuaries are consequently subjected to fishing, harbor, and dredging activities. It is now widely acknowledged that these naturally stressed ecosystems are characterized by the continuum gradient of environmental factors, which might play an overriding role in shaping the heterogeneous distribution of meiobenthic communities (Adão et al, 2009;Alves et al, 2009Alves et al, , 2013Alves et al, , 2014Sroczyńska et al, 2020).…”

Distribution patterns of benthic bacteria and nematode communities in estuarine sediments

“…Sado estuary has a semi-diurnal mesotidal system with tidal amplitude varying between 0.6 m and 1.6 m during spring and neap tides, respectively. The salinity gradient ranges between 0.75 at upstream to 35.34 at downstream (Sroczyńska et al, 2021), and it is influenced by the Sado's river flow (annual mean of 40m 3 s -1 ) changing with seasonal and inter-annual conditions and temperature can range from 10 to 26 • C (Bettencourt et al, 2004).…”

“…The sampling sites were selected based on the expected differences in environmental conditions of the sediments according to water hydrodynamics within the Estuary (high/low water residence time), salinity gradient and the type of neighbouring anthropogenic activities (Caeiro et al, 2005;Kennedy et al, 2005;Sroczyńska et al, 2021). Based on above-mentioned criteria three "Sampling Sites" were selected (Fig.…”

“…Based on above-mentioned criteria three "Sampling Sites" were selected (Fig. 1): (1) Navigator Site located in the proximity of industrial area, dominated by fine sand, clay and high organic contents (Caeiro et al, 2005); (2) Moinho Site is located within the borders of the Sado's Nature Reserve, affected by the surrounding aquaculture activities with the predominance of clay-fine sediments (Kennedy et al, 2005); (3) Tróia Site is located close to the Estuary mouth, is directly exposed to the main estuary channel, with high water exchange rate and high proportion of sand (Sroczyńska et al, 2021).…”