Collected reprints: Abstract 2796

Collected reprints

Abstract

Vanhove, S. (1993). Size spectra of nematode assemblages in an East African mangrove. Academia Analecta 55(2): 127-142

The size spectra and biomass of the nematode assemblages in the sediments of Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal and Sonneratia alba at Gazi Bay (Kenya), are described. Weighted mean length (resp. dry weight) of the nematodes varies from 0.543 to 1.367mm (resp. 0.10 to 0.19µg) and differs considerably from geometric and median values. Nematodes become longer (around Avicennia and Sonneratia) or remain similar in length (around Bruguiera and Ceriops) with increasing depth into the sediment. Body elongation is suggested to be an adaptation to low oxygen and food supply, which are under the impact of Uca-burrows. Nematode production in the mangroves is found to be regulated by an interaction of density and individual biomass, in which the former plays a dominant role.

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