Rev. Invest. Mar. 22(3):199-204, 2001
BENTHIC MEIOFAUNA DISTRIBUTION AT THREE CORAL REEFS
FROM SW OF CUBA
Cecilia I. López-Cánovas1 and Rogelio Lalana2,
(1) Department of Marine Ecology, GeoCuba Marine Studies Enterprise.
(2) Centre of Marine Research. Havana University.
ABSTRACT
Benthic meiofauna were studied at 24 stations, distributed in three profiles in coral reefs named Juan Garcia, Cantiles and Diego Perez
2
in SW of Cuba in February and July 1987. Meiofauna densities in Summer were higher than in Winter (520-4191 ind/10 cm and 1102
2379 ind/10 cm ). In coral reef Juan Garcia in winter prevail Nematode and in summer Copepoda; in coral reef Cantiles on the
contrary and in coral reef Diego Pérez prevail Nematode in both seasons. Meiofauna densities in Cantiles were higher than densities
in Juan García and Diego Pérez as much in winter as summer. Nematodes represented: Juan García - 40.3 % (winter); 22.8 %
(summer) - Cantiles 27.2 % (winter); 37.6 % (summer) and in Diego Pérez 35.4 % (winter); 37.7 % (summer) of the total meiofaunal
individuals. The number of taxa discreetly increased in summer. Suggesting that depredation by macrofauna and hydrodynamic
conditions were factors regulating the distribution of meiofauna comunities in these reefs.
Key words: meiobenthos; temporal distribution; coral reefs; ASW, Cuba.
RESUMEN
La meiofauna bentónica fue estudiada en 24 estaciones, distribuída en tres perfiles en los arrecifes nombrados Juan García, Cantiles
y Diego Pérez en el Suroeste de Cuba, durante los meses de febrero y julio de 1997. Las densidades de la mesofauna en verano
2
2
fueron más altas que en invierno (520-4191 ind/10 cm and 110-2379 ind/10 cm ). En el arrecife Juan García, durante el invierno,
dominan los nemátodos y en verano los copépodos en Cantiles; por el contrario y en Diego Pérez dominan los nemátodos en ambas
estaciones. Las densidades de la meiofauna en Cantiles fueron mayores que en Juan García y Diego Pérez tanto en invierno como en
verano. Los nemátodos representan en Juan García el 40.3% (invierno) y el 22.8% (verano), en Cantiles el 27.2% (invierno) y el
37.6% (verano) y en Diego Pérez el 35.4% (invierno) y el 37.7% (verano) del total de los individuos de la meiofauna. El número de
taxa se incrementa discretamente durante el verano. Sugiriendo que la depredación por la macrofauna y las condiciones
hidrodinamicas fueron factores reguladores de la distribución de esta comunidades bentónicas en los arrecifes.
Palabras clave: meiobentos; distribución temporal; arrecifes de coral; ASW, Cuba.
INTRODUCTION
seasons in these reefs of SW region of Cuba, as well as
the collect of samples for taxonomic purposes, particularly
for free-living nematodes.Was used the meiofauna
definition proposed by Mare (1942).
The coral reefs are considered one of the oldest and
productive ecological systems of the planet, due to the
numerous and complex inter-specific relationships of their
communities, which implicates that they have an abundant
biological production. Because of that, the necessity of
studying of those organisms that they compose it, for a
more rational management of the energetic resources that
contribute, not only to the marine environment but also to
the society in general.
STUDY SITES AND METHODS.
Study sites.
Many Archipelagos surround the Cuban Island. The
Archipelago "Los Canarreos" is located at the
southwestern shelf of Cuba and their keys are sheltered by
coral reefs.
Although the meiofauna comprises a large fraction of most marine
benthic communities, being efficient in the nutrients recycle and
degradation of organic matter, concentrating in that way, and
supporting energy to the superior trophic levels; the quantitative
data on their population densities are relatively few in the
Caribbean basin (Boucher, G. and N. Gourbault, 1990). In
addition, this is the first survey in Cuban reefs.
The sampling sites were located in three (3) profiles in the
coral reefs of keys named "Juan García" (21059'30" N /
84039'30" W), "Cantiles" (21035'04" N / 81057'04" W) y
"Diego Pérez" (220-2l' 00" N / 81031'00" W), in February
and July 1987.
The main objective of this paper was to know the
distribution of the higher taxa of meiofauna in different
199
López-Cánovas y Lalana: Benthic meiofauna distribution at three coral reefs from SW of Cuba.
among reef, season and stations was done with the four
dominant entities, nematods, polychaetes, copepods and
ostracods.
Stations.
Were situated eight (8) stations at each profile:
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Station No. 1: Reef lagoon with Thalassia testudinum - l00
m's of the crest. Depths: 2,5 to 3,5m's.
"Juan Garcia" reef:
Station No. 2: Reef lagoon with Thalassia testudinum - 50
m's of the crest. Depths: 2,0 to 3,0m's.
Nematode were the dominant group of meiofauna in winter
(40,3 %), followed by Polychaeta (30,3 %). Harpacticoid
copepods were the dominant group (47,5 %) in summer
(Fig. 1). Mean density were: winter: 576 ind/10cm2
summer: 1647 ind/cm2 Type of Sediment: Coarse sand.
Station No. 3: Backside of reef. Depths: 1,0 to 2,0 m's.
Station No. 4: Surge side or Acropora palmate zone.
Depths: 1,5 to 2,5m's.
Nematode
Assemblages:
Seven
(7)
families:
Desmodoridae;
Chromadoridae;
Oncholaimidae;
Epsilonematidae; Desmosco-lecidae; Ceramonematidae;
and Enoplidae and ten (10) genera: Desmodora de Man
1889; Euchromadora de Man 1886; Meyersia Hopper
1967; Metoncholaimus Filipjev 1918, Viscosia de Man
1890; Bathyepsilonema Steiner 1931; Epsilonema Steiner
1927; Tricoma Cobb 1894; Pselionema Cobb 1933; and
Mesacanthion Filipjev 1927, were identified, however
analysis of diversity of nematodes assemblages has not
been made in this work. The seven families and ten
genera of nematods presented in this paper are new
records for Cuban waters.
Station No. 5: Abrasive rocky terrace or Pseudo-terogorgia
zone. Depth: 5m's.
Station No. 6: Outboard slope. Depth: l0 m's.
Station No. 7: Outboard slope. Depth: 15 m's.
Station No. 8: Outboard slope. Depth: 20 m's.
Sampling procedure.
Samples were taken by SCUBA diving using handoperated corer (20 cm long) which circumscribed on area
of 10 cm2 . Three (3) cores were taken at each station for
quantitative and qualitative description of the meiofauna.
Larger cores were taken for granulo-metric analysis and
was used Wentworth Classifi-cation. Particulate organic
matter was deter-mined by Grigg and Kiwala (1970)
Method and was used the Alcolado Index, Alcolado (1981)
for water agitation based in percent of resistant
gorgonacea to hydrodynamic conditions.
Water
temperature (0C) and Salinity (%o) were immediately
measured in situ. The samples were preserved in buffered
7% seawater formalin and were washed through a set of
1000 and 100 µm sieve, meiobenthos was extracted from
the remaining sand by elutriation, and all individuals
examined.
"Cantiles" reef:
Harpacticoid copepods were the dominant group (37,3 %
in winter) and nematodes were the dominant taxa in
summer (37,6 %). (Fig.2). Mean density were: winter:
1110ind/10 cm2 summer: 2454 ind/cm2.. Type of Sediment:
Medium to coarse sand.
"Diego Pérez" reef:
Nematodes were the dominant group of meiofauna in both
seasons: winter: 35,4% summer: 37,7% (Fig. 3). Mean
density were: winter: 608 ind/10 cm2 summer: 1393 ind/ 10
cm2. Type of Sediment: Medium to coarse sand.
The major meiofauna taxa were counted under the MBS-9
stereomicroscope on a Bogorov chamber. At least 100
randomly selected nematodes from "Juan García" reef
were mounted on slides in anhydrous glycerine.
Nematodes were identified to genus level.
Study sites were classified into two (2) groups on the basis
of grain size: medium size (0,250 mm <md <0,500 mm)
and coarse sand (0,500 mm <md <1,000 mm). These
reefs were similar with respect sediment granulometry,
temperature (28,5 0C in summer and 27,1 0C in winter),
Salinity (37 - 36 %o), and particulate organic mafter; but
differed in hydrodynamic conditions.
Densities were expressed in individuals per 10 cm2 and
percent of most representative taxa: Nematoda,
Polychaeta and Copepoda is showed in Table 1.
Statistical procedure.
A two way ANOVA with three factors and interaction
200
Rev. Invest. Mar. 22(3):199-204, 2001
Table 1. Density and percentages of the dominant taxa in each reef. N: nematods, P: polychaetes, C: copepods and O: others.
WINTER
SUMMER
Density
%
Density
%
N
1856
40.3
3004
22.8
“JUAN GARCÍA” REEF
P
C
0
1396
976
378
30.3
21.2
8.2
2924
6252
993
22.2
47.5
7.5
N
2425
27.2
7395
37.6
“CANTILES” REEF
P
C
2436
3323
27.3
37.3
5901
4651
30.1
23.7
O
725
8.2
1686
8.6
N
1718
35.4
4197
37.7
“DIEGO PEREZ” REEF
P
C
1484
1269
30.5
26.1
3355
3080
30.1
27.6
O
391
8.0
509
4.6
Summer
Winter
Nematoda
Polychaeta
Copepoda
Other groups
Fig. 1. Juan Garcia reef. Percentages of the three dominant groups in winter and summer
Winter
Summer
Nematoda
Polychaeta
Copepoda
27.3
Other groups
30.1
Fig. 2. Cantiles reef. Percentages of the three dominant groups in winter and summer
Winter
Summer
Nematoda
Polychaeta
Copepoda
Other groups
Fig. 3. Diego Perez reef. Percentages of the three dominant groups in winter and summer.
cm2 (winter) (Figs. 4 and 5). Meiofauna densities in
"Cantiles" reef were higher than densities in "Juan García"
reef and "Diego Pérez" reef, as much in winter as in
summer. Others groups comprise:
Hydrodynamic conditions increased from sheltered lagoon
medium sand with sea grass to exposed highenergy zone
of reef (Table 2).
Meiofauna densities in summer were higher that in winter
[520 - 4191 ind/ 10 cm2 (summer) and 1 10 2379 ind/10
201
López-Cánovas y Lalana: Benthic meiofauna distribution at three coral reefs from SW of Cuba.
Nebaliacea, Cephalocarida, Oligochaeta, Nemer-tinea and
Sipunculida. Group's variety is discreetly higher in
summer. (Fig.6).
Tabla 2. Hydrodynamic conditions in each reef.
St.1 Reef Lagoon
St.2 Reef Lagoon
St. 3 Back Side
St. 4 Back Side
St. 5 Outward Slope
St. 6 Outward Slope
St. 7 Outward Slope
St. 8 Outward Slope
JUAN GARCIA
0
0
98
100
99
27
6.5
0.46
CANTILES
0
0
4
79
71
24
4.6
9.5
DIEGO PEREZ
0
0
21
33
25
17
9
0.5
Upon comparing the densities of the meiofauna with the
densities of the macroinfauna obtained by lbarzabal (in
press), we found that in almost all the stations densities
values were inversely proportional. These facts indicate us
that the depredation should be implicated in the variation of
meiofauna densities, the way expounds Muus (1967). To
the same time, this supports the criterion of Elmgren
(1978) that considers that in some environments the
densities of the meio-macrofauna present a relationship
inversely propor-tional.
J uan García Reef
Density
Mean density
)m
c
0
1
/d
n
i(
2
Cant iles Reef
Juan García
Cantiles
Diego Pérez
Fig. 5. Meiofauna densities per reef in winter and summer.
No. Groups
Taxa variety
Diego Pérez Reef
Winter
G
o
N
Summer
Juan
Cantil
Diego
Fig. 6. Number of groups during summer and winter in
each reef.
However, upon making that same comparison with the
densities of bacterias and protozoa obtained by Diaz et al.
Fig. 4. Meiofauna densities per station in winter and
summer in three different reefs.
Ostracoda, Cumacea, Amphipoda, Isopoda, Tanaida-cea,
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Rev. Invest. Mar. 22(3):199-204, 2001
(in press) we observed a relationship directly proportional
between the densities of the micromeio-benthos. Here an
effect of depredation should also exist. Recent studies
have indicated that the meio-fauna is not always capable
of affecting the populations of bacterias, since the rate of
bacterial production is usually one or twice larger than the
maximal rate of ingestion of the meiofauna,(Moriarty
1985), besides consuming another variety of foods
(Admiraal et al., 1983; Montagna et al., 1983).
From this result can be inferred that the densities of
meiofauna is also in function of the quantity of available
food, as it is stated by Castel et al., (1989).
Analysing the relationship between the densities of
meiofauna and the Index of Water Agitation, we found the
highest values densities in the stations of major surge.
These results could be possible by the effect of
accumulation that provokes the reef barrier acting like
microorganisms "trap" subjected to the hydrodynamic
tension in those zones. According to Eskin and Palmer
(1985), the meiofauna is continually dispersed and
transported by the eolic surge and the current of tide.
This confirms the expounded by Moore (1972), who
affirms that the physical phenomena play a principal role in
the regulation of the biological processes of the marine
tropical communities In summary, this study confirms the
expounded by Moore (1972) and Alongi (1987) of that in
the tropical marine ecosystems the environmental factors,
as well as the several physical and chemicals phenomena
play a primordial role in the regulation of the benthic
meiofauna distribution pattern.
About the statistical analysis with the dominant entities, we
found that: for nematods (F=3.87, p< 0.05), (F=20.41,
p<0.05) and polychaets (F=4.46 , p<0.05), (F=14.65,
p<0.05) there were significant differences between reef
and seasons. (Fig.7). Significant differences among reef,
season, and stations (F=7.33, p<0.05) and (F=3.87,
p<0.05) and a significant interaction (F=4.61, p<0.05) were
found for copepods (Fig.8). No significant differences were
found for ostracods.
Fig. 7. ANOVA 2-way interaction, plot of mean, in
copepods and ostracods in winter and summer, in each
reef.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We want to thank all our co-workers of Marine
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Aceptado: 18 de abril del 2001
204