Abstract

Trophic structure of free living nematode from Bizerte lagoon was tested by a microcosmic study after 30days of exposure with 5 increasing doses of pharmaceutical penicillin G (D1: 3mgL(-1), D2: 30mgL(-1), D3: 300mgL(-1), D4: 600mgL(-1), D5: 700mgL(-1)). Results showed significant differences between nematode assemblages from undisturbed controls and those from penicillin G treatments. Selective deposit-feeders (1A) or nonselective deposit-feeders (1B), very abundant in the control microcosm, were significantly affected and their dominance declined significantly. Epistrate feeders (2A) were significantly gradual increase for all microcosms treated with penicillin G, appeared to be more tolerant to the antibiotic and to take advantage of the growing scarcity of other trophic groups. Compared to the control microcosms, omnivorous-carnivorous (2B) was found to be higher in all treated microcosms, with the exception of those treated with D5. Trophic index (Σθ(2)) was significantly reduced in all microcosms treated whereas trophic ratio 1B/2A appears to be insignificant.

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