Abstract
The meiofauna from seagrass meadows in the western sector of the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba were studied to describe the spatial and temporal variations in community structure. Replicated cores were taken in three locations (arranged in m- and km-scales) and in two seasons (dry and wet). The meiofauna (metazoans between 500 and 45 microm) were identified to major taxa. Temporal changes in the meiofaunal communities could not be detected and they are not linked to the subtle seasonal changes in the water column. A larger variation in community structure was observed in the spatial m-scale (among cores in a station) probably accredited to heterogeneity of microenvironment and biological processes. A second source of variation in the km-scale (among locations) was identified relating to physical processes affecting seagrass meadows: marine currents and anthropogenic disturbances. Distribution patterns of meiofauna across locations coincide with one study from 20 years ago in seagrass beds (i.e. higher densities in area closer to break-shelf and diminution of fauna at southern of Pinar del Rio); however, cumulative anthropogenic disturbances on seagrass meadows would most likely explain the depletion of communities observed in our survey in comparison with decades ago. Estimates of meiofaunal density and richness of major taxa from our study (and other areas from the Cuban shelf) are consistently lower than other temperate and tropical sites; possibly caused by low primary productivity due to narrow tidal amplitude and oligotrophic waters.
Highlights
The meiofauna are considered as a key metazoan group in marine sediments
Due to the important role of meiofauna in the dynamic of seagrass meadows and to their scale-dependent variability, studies on their abundance and distribution across different spatial scales should be important for the management of this habitat
The study of meiofauna pertaining to several habitats from the Gulf of Batabanó is integrated in a larger project focused on the understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems from here; the most productive region of the Cuban shelf
Summary
The meiofauna (defined here as metazoans passing through a 500 μm and retained in a 45 μm sieve) are considered as a key metazoan group in marine sediments. Due to the important role of meiofauna in the dynamic of seagrass meadows and to their scale-dependent variability, studies on their abundance and distribution across different spatial scales should be important for the management of this habitat.
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