Document of bibliographic reference 380873

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Does sargassum contribute to meiofauna dispersal? The case of tardigrades and nematodes in the mexican caribbean

Abstract

The knowledge of the long-distance dispersal mechanisms of meiofauna is still limited. Rafting is considered as the main mechanism of dispersal of the meiofauna. The recent events of the Sargassum spp. arrival in the Caribbean provides the opportunity to explore long distance mechanisms. Four samples of floating Sargassum spp. were collected from the water column in Xcalak, Quintana Roo, which arrived at the Reef lagoon and Mangrove fringe. A total of 425 organisms were present, 388 nematodes, 36 tardigrades, and a single acarus. Tardigrades were represented by three species, whereas nematodes were represented by 16 morphotypes. The population of both tardigrades and nematodes was composed of mature and juvenile specimens. One tardigrade was collected during their ecdysis process. Our results suggest that not only the nematodes, but also tardigrades and acari can reach the floating Sargassum spp., maintaining in the algae, growing, and reproducing, while they are transported in the sea. We can conclude that in the Caribbean Sea, the floating Sargassum spp. floating is a dispersal mechanism of nematodes and tardigrades.

Bibliographic citation

de Jesús-Navarrete, A.; Vargas-Espositos, A.A. (2024). Does sargassum contribute to meiofauna dispersal? The case of tardigrades and nematodes in the mexican caribbean. Mar. Environ. Res. 195: 106349. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106349

Topic

Marine

Is peer reviewed

true