Influence of the tidal and rainfall cycles on the population structure and density of Mesacanthion hirsutum gerlach (nematoda, thoracostomopsidae) on a tropical sandy beach (Tamandaré Bay, Pernambuco, Brazil)

Venekey, Virag; Fonsêca-Genevois, Verônica Gomes da; Santos, Paulo Jorge Parreira dos

Abstracts

The population structure (males, females and juveniles) and density of Mesacanthion hirsutum Gerlach were studied during the tides (low, flood, high and ebb) of two consecutive tidal cycles in four different months of the year (May, July, September and November). Mesacanthion hirsutum density variations showed association with the rainfall cycle, with lower densities during July and September and significantly higher values in May and November. The population structure was constituted mostly by juveniles indicating a continuous reproduction during all the studied period. There were no significant differences between light and dark periods of the day, however, the higher densities detected during the high and ebb tidal stages demonstrate that this species could be dispersing through the water column and/or migrating within the sediment.

Marine nematodes; Meiobenthos; Intertidal environment; Seasonal variations; Brazil

A estrutura populacional (machos, fêmeas e juvenis) e densidade de Mesacanthion hirsutum Gerlach foram estudadas durante as marés (baixa, enchente, alta e vazante) de dois ciclos de maré consecutivos, em quatro meses diferentes do ano (Maio, Julho, Setembro e Novembro). As variações de densidade de Mesacanthion hirsutum mostraram associação com o ciclo de chuvas, com densidades mais baixas durante Julho e Setembro e significativamente maiores em Maio e Novembro. A estrutura populacional constituiu-se em sua maior parte por juvenis indicando uma reprodução continua durante todo o período de estudo. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os períodos claros e escuros do dia, contudo maiores densidades foram detectadas durante as marés altas e vazantes demonstrando que a espécie pode estar se dispersando através da coluna d'água e/ou migrando dentro do sedimento.

Nematode marinhos; Meiobentos; Ambiente entremarés; Variações sazonais; Brasil

References

BELL, S. S.; SHERMAN, K. S. Tidal resuspension as a mechanism for meiofauna dispersal. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser, v. 3, p. 245-249, 1980.
BOADEN, P. J. S.; PLATT, H. M. Daily migration patterns in an intertidal meiobenthic community. Thalass. Jugoslav, v. 7, p. 1-12, 1971.
CASTRO, F. J. V.; BEZERRA, T. N. C.; SILVA, M. C.da.; FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V. G. da. Spirinia elongata, sp.nov. (Nematoda, Desmodoridae) from Pisa Basin, Pernambuco, Brazil. Zootaxa, n. 1121, p. 53-68, 2006.
COBB, N. A. Notes on Nemas. Contrib. Sci. Nematol, v.5, p. 117-128. 1917.
DA ROCHA, C. M. C.; VENEKEY, V.; BEZERRA, T. N. C.; SOUZA, J. R. B. Phytal marine nematode assemblages and their relation with the macrophytes structural complexity in a Brazilian tropical rocky beach. Hydrobiologia., n. 553, p. 219-230, 2006.
DE GRISSE, A. T. Redescription ou modification de quelques techniques utilisés dans l' étude dês nématodes phytoparasitaires. Mededel. Rijks. Landbouw. Gent., v. 34, p. 351-369, 1969.
ELMGREN, R. Methods of sampling sublittoral soft bottom meiofauna. Oikos n. 15, p. 112-120, 1973.
ESTEVES, A. M. Free-living marine nematodes from Coroa Grande tidalflat (Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Biociências, v. 12, n. 2, p. 185-186, 2004.
ESTEVES, A. M.; MARIA, T. F.; WANDENESS, A. P. Population structure of Oncholaimus cobbi (Kreis, 1932) (Nematoda: Oncholaimidae) in a tropical tidalflat. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K, v. 3, p. 903-904, 2003.
ESTEVES, A. M.; MARIA, T. F.; WANDENESS, A. P. Population structure of Comesoma arenae Gerlach (Nematoda, Comesomatidae) in a Brazilian tropical tidalflat, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Rev. Bras. Zool, v. 21, n. 4, p. 775-777, 2004.
FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V.; SANTOS, G. A. P.; CASTRO, F. J. V.; BOTELHO, A. P.; ALMEIDA, T. C. M.; COUTINHO, R. Biodiversity of marine nematodes from an atypical tropical coastal area affected by upwelling (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Meiofauna Marina, v. 13, p. 37-44, 2004.
FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V.; SOMERFIELD, P. J.; NEVES, M. H. B.; COUTINHO, R.; MOENS, T. Colonization and early succession on artificial hard substrata by meiofauna. Mar. Biol, n. 148, p. 1039-1050, 2006.
FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V.; SMOL, N.; DECRAEMER, W.; VENEKEY, V. Bernardius lineatus gen. n., sp.n. (Enoplida: Enchelediidae), a remarkable nematode with ornamented cuticle from a Brazilian tropical sandy beach. Nematology, v. 11, n. 2, p. 275-287, 2009.
GERLACH, S. A. Die Nematodenbesiedlung des sandstrandes und des Küstengrundwassers an der italienischen Küste. I. Systematischer Teil. Arch. Zool. Ital, v. 37, p. 517-640, 1953.
GERLACH, S. A. Freilebenden Nematoden aus der Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (Rio de Janeiro). Zoolog. Anz, v. 153, p. 135-143, 1954.
GERLACH, S. A. Brasilianische Merres-Nematoden I. Bolm Inst. oceanogr, v. 5, p. 3-69, 1956a.
GERLACH, S. A. Die Nematodenbesiedlung dês tropischen Brandungsstrandes Von Pernambuco. Kieler Meeresforsch., v. 12, p. 202-218, 1956b.
GERLACH, S. A. Marine Nematoden aus den Mangrove -Gebieten von Cananeia. Brasilianische Meeres-Nematoden III. Jahrbuch Der Akademie Der Wissenschaften Und Der Literatur In Mainz, v. 5, p. 131176, 1957a.
GERLACH, S. A. Die Nematoden fauna des Sandstrandes nach der Kueste von Mittelbrasilien. Mitt. zool. Mus Berl, v. 33, p. 411-459, 1957b.
GERLACH, S. A. Freilebende Nematoden aus dem Roten Meer. Kieler. Meeresforsch, v.. 20, p. 18-34, 1964.
GERLACH, S. A. Freilebende Meres-Nematoden Von den Sarso-Inseln (Rotes Meer) 3. Beitrag der Arbeitsgruppe Litoralforschung. Meteor Forschergebn., Reihe d, v.. 2, p. 19-43, 1967.
GERLACH, S. A. Means of meiofaunal dispersal. Mikrofauna Meeresbodens, v. 61, p. 89-103, 1977.
HAGERMAN, G. M.; RIEGER, R. M. Dispersal of benthic meiofauna by wave and current action in Bogue Sound, N.C. USA. Mar. Ecol, v. 2, p. 245-270, 1981.
HEIP, C.; VINCX, M.; SMOL, N.; VRANKEN, G. The systematics and ecology of free-living nematodes. Helminthol. Abstr, Ser. B, v. 51, p. 1-31, 1982.
INGOLE, B. S.; PARULEKAR, A. H. Role of salinity in structuring the intertidal meiofauna of a tropical estuarine beach: Field evidence. Ind. J. mar. Sci, v. 27, p. 356-361, 1998.
MARIA, T. F.; SILVA, N. R.; WANDENESS, A. P.; ESTEVES, A. M. Spatio-temporal study and population structure of Daptonema oxycerca (Nematoda, Xyalidae) in Coroa Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Braz. J. Oceanogr., v. 56, n. 1, p. 41-50, 2008.
MAIDA, M.; FERREIRA, B. P. Coral reefs of Brazil: an overview. INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF SYMPOSIUM, 8., 1997, USA. Proceedings... v.. I, p.. 263-274, 1997.
MCINTYRE, A. D.; MURISON, D. J. The meiofauna of a flatfish nursery ground. J. mar. biol. Assoc. U. K., v. 53, p. 93-118, 1973.
MCLACHLAN, A. The definition of sandy beaches in relation to exposure: a simple rating system. S. afr. J. Sci, v.76, p.137-138, 1980.
MOENS, T.; VINCX, M. On the cultivation of free-living marine and estuarine nematodes. Helgolander Meeresunters., v. 52, p. 115-139, 1998.
NETTO, S. A.; GALLUCCI, F. Meiofauna and macrofauna communities in a mangrove from the Island of Santa Catarina, South Brazil. Hydrobiologia, n. 505, p. 159170, 2003.
NICHOLAS, W. L. Seasonal variations in nematode assemblages on an Australian temperate ocean beach; the effect of heavy seas and unusually high tides. Hydrobiologia, n. 464, p. 17-26, 2001.
NICHOLAS, W. L.; HODDA, M. The free-living nematodes of a temperate, high energy, sandy beach: faunal composition and variation over space and time. Hydrobiologia, n. 394, p. 113-127, 1999.
PALMER, M. A.; GUST, G. Dispersal of meiofauna in a turbulent tidal creek. J. mar. Res, v. 43, p. 179-210, 1985.
PATTNAIK, A.; RAO, M. V. L. Composition and distribution of interstitial meiofauna of the sandy beach at Golpapur, South Orissa Coast. Ind. J. mar. Sci., n. 19, p. 165-170, 1990.
PLATT, H. M. Ecology of free-living nematodes from an intertidal sandflat in Strangford lough, Northern Ireland. Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci, v. 5, p. 685-693, 1977.
RENAUD-DEBYSER, J.; SALVAT, B. Eléments de prosperité des biotopes des sédiments meubles intertidaux et écologie de leurs populations en microfaune et macrofaune. Vie Milieu, v. 14, p. 463550, 1963.
SIBERT, J. R. Intertidal hyperbenthic population in the Nanaimo Estuary. Mar. Biol, v. 64, p.259-265, 1981.
SOUZA-SANTOS, L. P.; RIBEIRO, V. S. S.; SANTOS, P. J. P.; FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V. Seasonality of intertidal meiofauna on a tropical sandy beach in Tamandaré Bay (Northeast Brazil). J. coast. Res., v. 35, p. 369-377, 2003.
STEYAERT, M.; HERMAN, P. M. J.; MOENS, T.; WIDDOWS, J.; VINCX, M. Tidal migration of nematodes on an estuarine tidal flat (the Molenplaat, Schelde Estuary, SW Netherlands). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser, v. 224, p. 299-304, 2001.
VENEKEY, V.; LAGE, L. M.; FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V. Draconema brasiliensis and Draconema fluminensis (Chromadorida, Draconematidae): two new species of free living nematodes from a rocky shore affected by upwelling on the Brazilian coast. Zootaxa, n. 1090, p. 51-64, 2005.
WARWICK, R. M. Nematode associations in the Exe estuary. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., v. 51, p. 439-454, 1971.

Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
17 Oct 2011
Date of issue
Sept 2011

History

Received
10 Oct 2010
Reviewed
18 May 2011
Accepted
25 July 2011

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

[1] BELL, S. S.; SHERMAN, K. S. Tidal resuspension as a mechanism for meiofauna dispersal. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser, v. 3, p. 245-249, 1980.

[2] BOADEN, P. J. S.; PLATT, H. M. Daily migration patterns in an intertidal meiobenthic community. Thalass. Jugoslav, v. 7, p. 1-12, 1971.

[3] CASTRO, F. J. V.; BEZERRA, T. N. C.; SILVA, M. C.da.; FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V. G. da. Spirinia elongata, sp.nov. (Nematoda, Desmodoridae) from Pisa Basin, Pernambuco, Brazil. Zootaxa, n. 1121, p. 53-68, 2006.

[4] COBB, N. A. Notes on Nemas. Contrib. Sci. Nematol, v.5, p. 117-128. 1917.

[5] DA ROCHA, C. M. C.; VENEKEY, V.; BEZERRA, T. N. C.; SOUZA, J. R. B. Phytal marine nematode assemblages and their relation with the macrophytes structural complexity in a Brazilian tropical rocky beach. Hydrobiologia., n. 553, p. 219-230, 2006.

[6] DE GRISSE, A. T. Redescription ou modification de quelques techniques utilisés dans l' étude dês nématodes phytoparasitaires. Mededel. Rijks. Landbouw. Gent., v. 34, p. 351-369, 1969.

[7] ELMGREN, R. Methods of sampling sublittoral soft bottom meiofauna. Oikos n. 15, p. 112-120, 1973.

[8] ESTEVES, A. M. Free-living marine nematodes from Coroa Grande tidalflat (Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Biociências, v. 12, n. 2, p. 185-186, 2004.

[9] ESTEVES, A. M.; MARIA, T. F.; WANDENESS, A. P. Population structure of Oncholaimus cobbi (Kreis, 1932) (Nematoda: Oncholaimidae) in a tropical tidalflat. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K, v. 3, p. 903-904, 2003.

[10] ESTEVES, A. M.; MARIA, T. F.; WANDENESS, A. P. Population structure of Comesoma arenae Gerlach (Nematoda, Comesomatidae) in a Brazilian tropical tidalflat, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Rev. Bras. Zool, v. 21, n. 4, p. 775-777, 2004.

[11] FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V.; SANTOS, G. A. P.; CASTRO, F. J. V.; BOTELHO, A. P.; ALMEIDA, T. C. M.; COUTINHO, R. Biodiversity of marine nematodes from an atypical tropical coastal area affected by upwelling (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Meiofauna Marina, v. 13, p. 37-44, 2004.

[12] FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V.; SOMERFIELD, P. J.; NEVES, M. H. B.; COUTINHO, R.; MOENS, T. Colonization and early succession on artificial hard substrata by meiofauna. Mar. Biol, n. 148, p. 1039-1050, 2006.

[13] FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V.; SMOL, N.; DECRAEMER, W.; VENEKEY, V. Bernardius lineatus gen. n., sp.n. (Enoplida: Enchelediidae), a remarkable nematode with ornamented cuticle from a Brazilian tropical sandy beach. Nematology, v. 11, n. 2, p. 275-287, 2009.

[14] GERLACH, S. A. Die Nematodenbesiedlung des sandstrandes und des Küstengrundwassers an der italienischen Küste. I. Systematischer Teil. Arch. Zool. Ital, v. 37, p. 517-640, 1953.

[15] GERLACH, S. A. Freilebenden Nematoden aus der Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (Rio de Janeiro). Zoolog. Anz, v. 153, p. 135-143, 1954.

[16] GERLACH, S. A. Brasilianische Merres-Nematoden I. Bolm Inst. oceanogr, v. 5, p. 3-69, 1956a.

[17] GERLACH, S. A. Die Nematodenbesiedlung dês tropischen Brandungsstrandes Von Pernambuco. Kieler Meeresforsch., v. 12, p. 202-218, 1956b.

[18] GERLACH, S. A. Marine Nematoden aus den Mangrove -Gebieten von Cananeia. Brasilianische Meeres-Nematoden III. Jahrbuch Der Akademie Der Wissenschaften Und Der Literatur In Mainz, v. 5, p. 131176, 1957a.

[19] GERLACH, S. A. Die Nematoden fauna des Sandstrandes nach der Kueste von Mittelbrasilien. Mitt. zool. Mus Berl, v. 33, p. 411-459, 1957b.

[20] GERLACH, S. A. Freilebende Nematoden aus dem Roten Meer. Kieler. Meeresforsch, v.. 20, p. 18-34, 1964.

[21] GERLACH, S. A. Freilebende Meres-Nematoden Von den Sarso-Inseln (Rotes Meer) 3. Beitrag der Arbeitsgruppe Litoralforschung. Meteor Forschergebn., Reihe d, v.. 2, p. 19-43, 1967.

[22] GERLACH, S. A. Means of meiofaunal dispersal. Mikrofauna Meeresbodens, v. 61, p. 89-103, 1977.

[23] HAGERMAN, G. M.; RIEGER, R. M. Dispersal of benthic meiofauna by wave and current action in Bogue Sound, N.C. USA. Mar. Ecol, v. 2, p. 245-270, 1981.

[24] HEIP, C.; VINCX, M.; SMOL, N.; VRANKEN, G. The systematics and ecology of free-living nematodes. Helminthol. Abstr, Ser. B, v. 51, p. 1-31, 1982.

[25] INGOLE, B. S.; PARULEKAR, A. H. Role of salinity in structuring the intertidal meiofauna of a tropical estuarine beach: Field evidence. Ind. J. mar. Sci, v. 27, p. 356-361, 1998.

[26] MARIA, T. F.; SILVA, N. R.; WANDENESS, A. P.; ESTEVES, A. M. Spatio-temporal study and population structure of Daptonema oxycerca (Nematoda, Xyalidae) in Coroa Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Braz. J. Oceanogr., v. 56, n. 1, p. 41-50, 2008.

[27] MAIDA, M.; FERREIRA, B. P. Coral reefs of Brazil: an overview. INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF SYMPOSIUM, 8., 1997, USA. Proceedings... v.. I, p.. 263-274, 1997.

[28] MCINTYRE, A. D.; MURISON, D. J. The meiofauna of a flatfish nursery ground. J. mar. biol. Assoc. U. K., v. 53, p. 93-118, 1973.

[29] MCLACHLAN, A. The definition of sandy beaches in relation to exposure: a simple rating system. S. afr. J. Sci, v.76, p.137-138, 1980.

[30] MOENS, T.; VINCX, M. On the cultivation of free-living marine and estuarine nematodes. Helgolander Meeresunters., v. 52, p. 115-139, 1998.

[31] NETTO, S. A.; GALLUCCI, F. Meiofauna and macrofauna communities in a mangrove from the Island of Santa Catarina, South Brazil. Hydrobiologia, n. 505, p. 159170, 2003.

[32] NICHOLAS, W. L. Seasonal variations in nematode assemblages on an Australian temperate ocean beach; the effect of heavy seas and unusually high tides. Hydrobiologia, n. 464, p. 17-26, 2001.

[33] NICHOLAS, W. L.; HODDA, M. The free-living nematodes of a temperate, high energy, sandy beach: faunal composition and variation over space and time. Hydrobiologia, n. 394, p. 113-127, 1999.

[34] PALMER, M. A.; GUST, G. Dispersal of meiofauna in a turbulent tidal creek. J. mar. Res, v. 43, p. 179-210, 1985.

[35] PATTNAIK, A.; RAO, M. V. L. Composition and distribution of interstitial meiofauna of the sandy beach at Golpapur, South Orissa Coast. Ind. J. mar. Sci., n. 19, p. 165-170, 1990.

[36] PLATT, H. M. Ecology of free-living nematodes from an intertidal sandflat in Strangford lough, Northern Ireland. Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci, v. 5, p. 685-693, 1977.

[37] RENAUD-DEBYSER, J.; SALVAT, B. Eléments de prosperité des biotopes des sédiments meubles intertidaux et écologie de leurs populations en microfaune et macrofaune. Vie Milieu, v. 14, p. 463550, 1963.

[38] SIBERT, J. R. Intertidal hyperbenthic population in the Nanaimo Estuary. Mar. Biol, v. 64, p.259-265, 1981.

[39] SOUZA-SANTOS, L. P.; RIBEIRO, V. S. S.; SANTOS, P. J. P.; FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V. Seasonality of intertidal meiofauna on a tropical sandy beach in Tamandaré Bay (Northeast Brazil). J. coast. Res., v. 35, p. 369-377, 2003.

[40] STEYAERT, M.; HERMAN, P. M. J.; MOENS, T.; WIDDOWS, J.; VINCX, M. Tidal migration of nematodes on an estuarine tidal flat (the Molenplaat, Schelde Estuary, SW Netherlands). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser, v. 224, p. 299-304, 2001.

[41] VENEKEY, V.; LAGE, L. M.; FONSECA-GENEVOIS, V. Draconema brasiliensis and Draconema fluminensis (Chromadorida, Draconematidae): two new species of free living nematodes from a rocky shore affected by upwelling on the Brazilian coast. Zootaxa, n. 1090, p. 51-64, 2005.

[42] WARWICK, R. M. Nematode associations in the Exe estuary. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., v. 51, p. 439-454, 1971.