TAVARES, G. V. S.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1947373978444053; TAVARES, Géssica Virgínia dos Santos.
Abstract:
Estuaries are ecosystems that impose severe abiotic conditions leading to the biota of the
meiofauna to undergo unique morphotisiological adaptations. The Nematoda taxon is an example of
group that adapts very well to these conditions, as it presents several strategies for
survival and great adaptive success in these environments. The study of biodiversity and
distribution of the nematofaunistic community through a saline gradient was carried out in the
Pirangi Estuary, located on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. The organisms were
analyzed through the samples collected in September 2014 throughout the
estuary in three transects on the south bank and three transects on the north bank, with four
replicates each, totaling 24 samples. The prospecting points were chosen through the
salinity gradient. The meiofauna was composed of 9 large groups, and the community
nematofaunistic was represented by 31 genera. The largest number of genres was
found in the highest salinity concentration, highlighting the relationship of this group with the
salinity. The structure of the nematofaunistic community was related to the variables:
sal linity, temperature, sediment granulometry and organic matter content. Nematoda was
the dominant taxonomic group at all salinity points. The results suggest that
the salinity, particle size and organic matter variables were the main factors
associated with the spatial distribution of the structure of the nematofaunistic community.
Statistically the meiofaunistic community and the nematofaunistic community, from the margin
south were different from the north bank, as the low concentration points of
salinity were different from high salinity concentration points. The present work
brings relevant data for the Brazilian estuarine nematofauna.