Distribution quantitative des nématodes dans la lagune de Bizerte

Abstract

A quantitative analysis of the meiofauna living in sediment of Bizerte's lagoon was carried out parallel with some biotopic parameters from ten sample stations distribued along a transect west-east. Bathymetric and sedimentologic components appeared fondamental for the spatial distribution of meiofauna. Nematodes largely preponderant were particularly sensitive to the percentage of thin fraction. Their densities allowed to distinguish clearly three sectors with very inequal areas. For this environmental type still unrecognized numerical richness of the deepest coastal zone came rather out of the ordinary (over 7000 individuals. 10cm -2). These preliminary data revealed a certain coincidence between meiobenthic populations and macrobenthic communities. Without an structural analysis, only the mussel bed area, never taken into account before today, remained badly particularized. (BDO)