@article {Gascon:2006zp,
	title = {Nematode assemblages and their responses to disturbances: a case study from the Emporda wetlands (northeastern Iberian Peninsula)},
	journal = {Journal of the North American Benthological Society},
	volume = {25},
	year = {2006},
	pages = {643-655},
	publisher = {NORTH AMER BENTHOLOGICAL SOC},
	address = {1041 NEW HAMSPHIRE STREET, LAWRENCE, KS 66044 USA},
	abstract = {The salt marshes of the Emporda wetlands are subjected to both physical variability, caused by hydrological fluctuations, and nutrient variability. We assessed which of these sources of variability most influenced nematode assemblages in 5 basins in the wetlands. One of these basins was permanently inundated, but the hydroperiods of the others were variable. Taxonomic composition and the Maturity Index, which is based on the ecological characteristics of nematodes (r- or K-strategists), were used to describe the assemblages. Variation decomposition analysis showed that nematode assemblages of the Emporda wetlands were more influenced by physical variability (18.2\% of explained variation), caused by changes in variables such as conductivity and granulometry, than by nutrient variability (3.4\% of explained variation). The Maturity Index of the assemblages was related to hydrological disturbance, but not to eutrophy. Cluster analysis based on taxonomic composition separated the permanent basin from the temporary basins. Nematode diversity and genus richness were significantly higher in the permanent basin than in the temporary basins. We conclude that the Maturity Index is valid for assessing hydrological disturbances in fluctuating Mediterranean environments, whereas assemblage parameters such as diversity and richness may not be because they responded to water permanence but not to other environmental factors associated with hydrologic variability.},
	keywords = {hydrological fluctuations, maturity Index, Mediterranean, meiofauna, nematodes, salt marshes, trophic level},
	author = {Gascon, Stephanie and Boix, Dani and Sala, Jordi and Quintana, Xavier D.}
}
@article {Mahmoudi:2007ad,
	title = {Individual and combined effects of lead and zinc on a free-living marine nematode community: Results from microcosm experiments},
	journal = {Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology},
	volume = {343},
	year = {2007},
	pages = {217-226},
	publisher = {ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV},
	address = {PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS},
	abstract = {A microcosm experiment was carried out to study the influence of lead and zinc, individually and in mixtures, on a free-living nematode community of a Tunisian lagoon. Three levels (low, medium and high) of each heavy metal were used, separately and in combinations, for sediment contamination and effects were examined after two months. Results from the multiple comparison tests showed significant differences between nematode assemblages from undisturbed controls and those from lead and/or zinc treatments. Most univariate measures, including diversity and species richness, decreased significantly in the treated microcosms. Results from multivariate analyses of the species abundance data revealed significant effects of both metals, separately or in mixtures, at all the doses tested on nematode assemblages. All treatments were significantly different from the control and from each other. Both univariate and multivariate analyses of the data showed that the differential response occurred in all treatments but the communities from microcosms contaminated with lead and zinc separately were much more strongly affected. This result is suggestive of antagonistic interactions between Pb and Zn. The responses of nematode species to the lead and zinc treatments were varied: Calomicrolaimus honestus was eliminated at all lead doses tested and seemed to be intolerant species to Pb contamination whereas Oncholaimus campylocercoides increased significantly at low and medium lead contamination, was eliminated in Pb-highly amended sediment treatments and increased at all zinc doses used. This species could be categorized as "opportunistic" at low and medium lead doses and "zinc-resistant" species. Hypodontolaimus colesi was eliminated in all replicates treated with Zn even at low concentration and appeared to be a very sensitive species to zinc contamination. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.},
	keywords = {community structure, heavy metals, lagoons, microcosm, nematodes},
	doi = {DOI 10.1016/j.jembe.2006.12.017},
	author = {Mahmoudi, E. and Essid, N. and Beyrem, H. and Hedfi, A. and Boufahja, F. and Vitiello, P. and Aissa, P.}
}
@article {Somerfield:2007yf,
	title = {Three-dimensional spatial structure: nematodes in a sandy tidal flat},
	journal = {Marine Ecology-Progress Series},
	volume = {336},
	year = {2007},
	pages = {177-186},
	publisher = {INTER-RESEARCH},
	address = {NORDBUNTE 23, D-21385 OLDENDORF LUHE, GERMANY},
	abstract = {Benthic infauna live in a three-dimensional world, and patterns of horizontal distribution may vary with depth in the sediment, as may the mechanisms that determine those patterns. This study examines how horizontal spatial structure varies with depth in a semi-exposed coarse-sand flat adjacent to St Martin{\textquoteright}s, one of the Isles of Scilly, UK. Nematode samples were collected from 3 sediment depth horizons (0 to 5, 5 to 10 and 10 to 15 cm) in a nested hierarchical design, with samples 0.1, 1 and 10 m apart. Results show that spatial patterns are strongest amongst samples of intermediate depth (5 to 11) cm), and generally insignificant amongst samples collected from 10 to 15 cm. There is short-order spatial autocorrelation in surface (0 to 5 cm) samples, with samples collected 10 cm apart being significantly more alike than samples collected further apart. We postulate that this is because spatial structure of nematodes in surface sediments is determined by patchiness induced by interactions between the water column and the physical structure of the surface layers of the sediment, which are constantly reworked by wind and tides. The deeper layers, 10 to 15 cm below the surface, are constantly reworked by a dense population of heart urchins Echinocardium cordatum. It is only in the intermediate horizon that relatively stable conditions allow nematode assemblages to establish spatial structure over a range of scales. It is concluded that the interaction between sediment permeability, and therefore interfacial advection, and bioturbation in controlling infaunal diversity and spatial patterns is potentially important.},
	keywords = {advection, bioturbation, Echinocardium, nematodes, spatial structure, vertical distribution},
	author = {Somerfield, P. J. and Dashfield, S. L. and Warwick, R. M.}
}
@article {Beyrem:2007pi,
	title = {Individual and combined effects of cadmium and diesel on a nematode community in a laboratory microcosm experiment},
	journal = {Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2007},
	pages = {412-418},
	publisher = {ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE},
	address = {525 B ST, STE 1900, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101-4495 USA},
	abstract = {A microcosm experiment was carried out to study the influence of cadmium and diesel, individually and in a mixture, on a free living nematode community of a Tunisian lagoon. Sediments were contaminated with cadmium that ranged in concentration from 0.54 to 1.40 mg Cd kg(-1) (dry weight (dw)), by diesel at 0.25 mg kg(-1) (dw), by a cadmium-diesel mixture (Cd at 1.40 mg kg(-1) + Diesel at 0.25 mg kg(-1)) and effects were examined after 90 days. Univariate analysis showed that all univariate indices did not change significantly neither at all the levels of cadmium contamination nor at 0.25 mg kg(-1) (dw) diesel concentration. But, at the cadmium-diesel mixture, significant differences were recorded between nematode assemblages from uncontaminated sediment control microcosm and those from cadmium-diesel mixture amended sediment treatments. Total nematode abundance (I), mean individual weight (bi), Shannon-Weaver index H{\textquoteright}, species richness (d), evenness (J{\textquoteright}) and number of species (S) decreased significantly in microcosms contaminated with both cadmium and diesel. Results from multivariate analyses of the species abundance data demonstrated that responses of nematode species to the cadmium-diesel treatments were varied: Marylynnia stekhoveni, Calomicrolaimus honestus and Oncholaimellus mediterraneus were significantly affected at the cadmium-diesel contamination but they were not eliminated. These species could be categorized as "cadmium-diesel sensitive". Enoploides sp. and Oncholaimus campylocercoides, characterized by increased abundanc s in cadmium-diesel amended sediment, seemed to be "cadmium-diesel resistant" species. All these species, "cadmium-diesel sensitive or "cadmium-diesel resistant", were not affected by either cadmium or diesel alone. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.},
	keywords = {cadmium, community structure, contaminant mixture, diesel, microcosm, nematodes, sediment},
	doi = {DOI 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2006.12.007},
	author = {Beyrem, H. and Mahmoudi, E. and Essid, N. and Hedfi, A. and Boufahja, F. and Aissa, P.}
}
@article {Moreno:2008gd,
	title = {An assessment of the spatial heterogeneity of environmental disturbance within an enclosed harbour through the analysis of meiofauna and nematode assemblages},
	journal = {Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2008},
	pages = {565-576},
	publisher = {ACADEMIC PRESS LTD ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD},
	address = {24-28 OVAL RD, LONDON NW1 7DX, ENGLAND},
	abstract = {Significant spatial heterogeneity in the abundance and composition of meiofaunal and nematode assemblages was described inside the Genoa-Voltri harbour (Genoa, Italy) in relation to variation in the main environmental variables. In harbour sediments characterized by low Eh values and high organic matter concentrations, total meiofauna abundance was lower (948 +/- 919 ind 10 cm(-2)), nematode individual biomass was higher (0.17 +/- 0.07 mu g C), kinorhynchs and tanaids were completely absent, and the nematode assemblage was dominated by the genera Terschellingia, Sabatieria (pulchra group) and Paracomesoma. In contrast, in sediment characterized by lower levels of organic pollution, meiofaunal abundance was higher (1085 737 ind 10 cm(-2)), nematode individual biomass was lower (0.11 +/- 0.04 mu g C), kinorhynchs and tanaids were present and the nematodes were dominated by the genera Desmodora, Daptonema, Anticoma and Halalaimus. Environmental disturbance as assessed by the analysis of meiofaunal and nematode assemblages and sediment environmental variables changed significantly over a scale hundreds of meters, but did not follow a gradient from the inner to the outer harbour. Analysis of nematode assemblages is proposed as a useful tool for the identification of environmental risk areas which may assist in the development of good planning, monitoring programmes and better management of harbour ecosystems. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
	keywords = {harbours, meiofauna, nematodes, organic matter, sediment},
	doi = {DOI 10.1016/j.ecss.2007.10.016},
	author = {Moreno, M. and Ferrero, T. J. and Gallizia, I. and Vezzulli, L. and Albertelli, G. and Fabiano, M.}
}
@article {Moreno:2008it,
	title = {The use of meiofauna diversity as an indicator of pollution in harbours},
	journal = {Ices Journal of Marine Science},
	volume = {65},
	year = {2008},
	pages = {1428-1435},
	publisher = {OXFORD UNIV PRESS},
	address = {GREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND},
	abstract = {We assessed several meiofaunal indices in sediments of three Mediterranean harbours differing in environmental contamination to evaluate their usefulness as indicators of pollution and to identify those that best described environmental quality. In general, indicators based on meiofaunal taxa demonstrated a significant correlation with the concentration of contaminants, especially the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs). Nematode genus-based indicators correlated with contaminant concentrations at similar levels of significance, suggesting that a high taxonomic resolution does not improve the information content of meiofauna diversity indicators for assessing the environmental quality in these harbours. Notably, environmental variables that affect meiofaunal and nematode assemblages ( e. g. water depth, grain size, and food sources) demonstrated a low spatial and temporal variability in the harbours investigated and did not represent important confounding factors. We conclude that the application of meiofaunal and nematode indices can be a useful tool for assessing the environmental quality of harbour ecosystems.},
	keywords = {environmental indicators, harbour, meiofauna, nematodes},
	doi = {DOI 10.1093/icesjms/fsn116},
	author = {Moreno, Mariapaola and Vezzulli, Luigi and Marin, Valentina and Laconi, Paola and Albertelli, Giancarlo and Fabiano, Mauro}
}
@article {Gallucci:2008la,
	title = {Active colonisation of disturbed sediments by deep-sea nematodes: evidence for the patch mosaic model},
	journal = {Marine Ecology-Progress Series},
	volume = {367},
	year = {2008},
	pages = {173-183},
	publisher = {INTER-RESEARCH},
	address = {NORDBUNTE 23, D-21385 OLDENDORF LUHE, GERMANY},
	abstract = {An on-board experiment was performed during a research cruise to investigate the ability of deep-sea nematode species to actively colonise defaunated sediments. Small cylinders of 500 pm wire mesh filled with defaunated sediment were inserted into microcosms containing sediment with indigenous meiofauna collected from 1300 m depth in the Arctic Ocean. The defaunated sediments were either enriched with the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii, or remained unenriched. Samples from the defaunated sediment were taken after 9 and 17 d. As controls, microcosms with sediment containing the indigenous meiofauna but without an internal cylinder were also sampled at each time interval. Nematodes colonised both enriched and unenriched sediments with abundances of up to 20\% of the controls. Irrespective of the time of sampling, abundance and number of species were significantly higher in the enriched treatment, suggesting that the presence of food enhances colonisation and resilience. Nematode assemblages in the defaunated sediments were species-rich and differed from the controls. The majority of colonising species were rare or undetectable in the controls, suggesting that episodic disturbances may be necessary for their persistence in deep sea sediments. Colonisation was in part determined by species characteristics such as size and motility. At the same time, a large number of different species colonised the empty cylinders, resulting in poor similarity in community composition between replicates, particularly between samples enriched with diatoms. Our results indicate a poor predictability of community composition of recently disturbed sediments despite highly reproducible abundance and diversity patterns and lends experimental support to the existence of a spatio-temporal mosaic that emerges from highly localised colonisation patterns.},
	keywords = {Deep-sea, disturbance, Infauna migration, Microcosm experiments, nematodes, Patch dynamics, sediment},
	doi = {DOI 10.3354/meps07537},
	author = {Gallucci, Fabiane and Moens, Tom and Vanreusel, Ann and Fonseca, Gustavo}
}
@article {Urban-Malinga:2009ek,
	title = {Meiofaunal (re)colonization of the Arctic intertidal (Hornsund, Spitsbergen) after ice melting: role of wrack deposition},
	journal = {Polar Biology},
	volume = {32},
	year = {2009},
	pages = {243-252},
	publisher = {SPRINGER},
	address = {233 SPRING ST, NEW YORK, NY 10013 USA},
	abstract = {Intertidal meiobenthos of Hornsund-the southernmost fjord of Spitsbergen-was investigated between July and September 2005. Mean total meiofaunal densities ranged between 4.3 and 328 ind. 10 cm(-2). Nematode assemblages were impoverished in terms of the number of genera when compared with those from the western Spitsbergen coast (11 vs. 25-28 genera in total, respectively). It is suggested that severe environmental conditions in the southern part of Spitsbergen overcome the adaptation skills of many nematode species and hamper the establishment of a diverse community. Comparatively high nematode numbers on a beach subject to heavy macroalgal wrack input contrast sharply with numerically poor communities in sparse-wrack beaches (up to 315 vs. 31 ind. 10 cm(-2), respectively). It is suggested that the wrack input to the Arctic beach may substantially influence the richness and composition of the intertidal meiobenthic community. Nematode assemblages were dominated by extreme colonizers: Geomonhystera disjuncta and rhabditids. Their relatively high densities in beach sediments recorded at the beginning of July indicate their ability to recover rapidly after the winter period and to effective (re)colonization of the intertidal habitat just after the ice melt. Average concentration of rhabditids and monhysterids associated with macroalgal wrack deposited on the upper shore was as high as 52 x 10(3) individuals per gram of the substrate. It is hypothesized that nematodes can play a substantial role in the wrack decomposition in the Arctic intertidal.},
	keywords = {Arctic, Colonization, Intertidal, Meiobenthos, nematodes, Wrack},
	doi = {DOI 10.1007/s00300-008-0525-x},
	author = {Urban-Malinga, Barbara and Drgas, Aleksander and Ameryk, Anetta and Tatarek, Agnieszka}
}
@article {Hua:2009xe,
	title = {Environmental factors affecting nematode community structure in the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent waters},
	journal = {Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom},
	volume = {89},
	year = {2009},
	pages = {109-117},
	publisher = {CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS},
	address = {32 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY 10013-2473 USA},
	abstract = {This paper describes the major features of nematode assemblages collected at 18 stations in the Changiiang River estuary and its adjacent waters and identifies dominant species within communities in relation to environmental parameters. Meiofauna from the Changiiang Estuary and its adjacent waters comprised 21 major taxa of higher categories. Subsamples of nematodes were extracted and identified to the species level. In general, the nematode community structure was similar to that of muddy sub-littoral areas world-wide. The most abundant genera were Daptonema, Cobbia, Sabatieria, Dorylaimopsis and Terschellingia, accounting for 50.0\%. The studied area exhibited high nematode abundance and high species biodiversity. Measurements of environmental factors were made, including grain size, salinity, temperature, sediment organic matter content, Chl-a and Phaeo-a. Different combinations of environmental variables are responsible for the meiofauna and nematode communities{\textquoteright} structures. However, BIOENV results indicate that water depth, salinity, Chl-a, Phaeo-a and silt-clay content were more closely linked to variation in meiofauna (mainly nematode) community structure in the studied area. Among these, water depth, salinity, Chl-a and Phaeo-a were most responsible for nematode assemblage discrimination in the studied area.},
	keywords = {Chiangjiang Estuary, community structure, environmental factors, nematodes, People{\textquoteright}s Republic of China},
	doi = {DOI 10.1017/S0025315408002361},
	author = {Hua, E. and Zhang, Z. N. and Zhang, Y.}
}
@article {Hourston:2009rc,
	title = {Spatial and seasonal variations in the ecological characteristics of the free-living nematode assemblages in a large microtidal estuary},
	journal = {Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science},
	volume = {82},
	year = {2009},
	pages = {309-322},
	publisher = {ACADEMIC PRESS LTD ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD},
	address = {24-28 OVAL RD, LONDON NW1 7DX, ENGLAND},
	abstract = {This study has determined the ways in which the density, number of species, species composition and trophic structure of free-living nematode assemblages in the subtidal waters of a large southern hemisphere microtidal estuary change spatially and seasonally, and has explored whether those four biotic characteristics are related to certain environmental factors. Based on data derived from samples collected seasonally at 12 sites throughout the estuary, the densities and number of species of nematodes decreased progressively with distance from estuary mouth, to reach a minimum at sites where salinities were most variable. and then increased slightly in the uppermost part of the estuary where salinities were least. Densities were also generally greatest in spring, due largely to increases in the abundance of epistrate-grazing species at this time and thus when the amount of primary food (microphytobenthos) peaked. The spatial distribution of the composition of the nematode assemblages was closely correlated with salinity and, to a lesser extent, grain-size composition and amount of particulate organic material (\%POM) in the sediment. Although species composition changed sequentially along the estuary, the change was particularly pronounced between sites above and below the area where salinities started to decline markedly and become more variable and \%POM increased markedly. This reflected, in particular, far greater abundances of Spirinia parasitifera at the six downstream sites and of Theristus sp. 1 at the six sites further upstream. Species composition underwent pronounced seasonal cyclical changes at all sites, presumably reflecting interspecific differences in the timing of peak reproduction and thus of recruitment. The trophic structure of the nematode assemblages changed both spatially and temporally in relation to the relative abundance of different food sources. Thus, for example, non-selective deposit feeders, such as Theristus sp. 1, dominated samples in the upper estuary, where \%POM was by far the greatest, and was rare or absent at downstream sites. Conversely, epistrate grazers, such as species of the Chromadoridae, were most abundant at downstream sites in spring, when the density of the microphytobenthos reached its maximum. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
	keywords = {environmental factors, microtidal estuary, nematodes, number of species and density, species and trophic compositions},
	doi = {DOI 10.1016/j.ecss.2009.01.018},
	author = {Hourston, M. and Potter, I. C. and Warwick, R. M. and Valesini, F. J. and Clarke, K. R.}
}
@article {Pusceddu:2009qd,
	title = {Organic matter composition, metazoan meiofauna and nematode biodiversity in Mediterranean deep-sea sediments},
	journal = {Deep-Sea Research Part Ii-Topical Studies In Oceanography},
	volume = {56},
	year = {2009},
	pages = {755-762},
	publisher = {PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD},
	address = {THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND},
	abstract = {To identify the relationships between the abundance and biodiversity of deep-sea meiofauna and their food resources in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Sea), we have investigated the quantity and biochemical composition of sediment organic matter, the metazoan meiofauna abundance and biomass, and the nematode biodiversity at meso- (> 50 km) and/or local (< 1 km) scales. Sediment samples were collected at four deep-sea sites (from 3430 to 3581 m in depth), two of which were close to two seamounts. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences at both the meso- and local scales (i.e. between sites and between stations at each site), and showed that the variability at the mesoscale was much higher than that at the local scale. The values of all of the investigated variables were generally lowest in sediments surrounding the seamounts, suggesting a role for these submersed structures in the abundance of the metazoan meiofauna and their resources. The nematode assemblage composition changed significantly across the four sites. Among the 96 identified nematode species, 14 were exclusively seen in sediments around the two seamounts, and only three species were present at all sampling stations. Differences in the trophic structures of the nematode assemblages were also linked with differences in the biochemical composition of sediment organic matter. These results indicate that high beta-diversity in soft sediments around deep seamounts is associated with diversification of the benthic food webs, and suggest that while making the sediments poorer for food availability for benthic consumers, the presence of seamounts enhances the biodiversity in neighbouring sediments. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
	keywords = {Deep-sea sediments, Mediterranean Sea, meiofauna, nematodes, organic matter, Seamounts},
	doi = {DOI 10.1016/j.dsr2.2008.10.012},
	author = {Pusceddu, Antonio and Gambi, Cristina and Zeppilli, Daniela and Bianchelli, Silvia and Danovaro, Roberto}
}
@article {Armenteros:2009rm,
	title = {Biodiversity patterns of free-living marine nematodes in a tropical bay: Cienfuegos, Caribbean Sea},
	journal = {Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science},
	volume = {85},
	year = {2009},
	pages = {179-189},
	publisher = {ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD},
	address = {24-28 OVAL RD, LONDON NW1 7DX, ENGLAND},
	abstract = {Spatial and temporal biodiversity patterns of free-living marine nematodes were studied in Cienfuegos Bay, a tropical semi-enclosed basin in the Caribbean Sea. Taxonomic (to species level) and functional (biological trait) approaches were applied for describing the assemblage structure and relating it to abiotic environment based on a sampling scheme in six subtidal stations and three months. Biological trait approach added relevant information to species pattern regarding relationships between diversity patterns and the abiotic environment. The most common morphotypes were deposit feeding nematodes, with colonising abilities of 2-3 (in a scale from 1 to 5), tail conical cylindrical or filiforme and body slender; and their abundance were correlated with depth, organic matter and silt/clay fraction. In spite of a high turnover of species, functional diversity of assemblages did not change notably in space and time. A result probably due to sampling of the habitat pool of species and to low heterogeneity of the studied muddy bottoms. Chemical pollution (organic enrichment and heavy metals) and hydrodynamic regime possibly drove the biodiversity patterns. Spatial distribution of assemblages support the existence of two well differentiated basins inside the bay, the northern basin more polluted than the southern one. The low hydrodynamic regime would determine a poor dispersion of nematodes resulting in high spatial variance in the assemblage structure; and also the associated hypoxic conditions and pollutants in sediments can explain the dominance of tolerant nematode species such as Daptonema oxycerca, Sabatieria pulchra, Terschellingia gourbaultae, and Terschellingia longicaudata. A comparison of spatial-temporal patterns of biodiversity between Cienfuegos Bay and other semi-enclosed bays in temperate regions suggests several similarities: nematode assemblages are strongly influenced by anthropogenic disturbance, temporal trends are weak or overridden by spatial ones, and few cosmopolitan genera/species tolerant to pollution and hypoxic conditions are dominant. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
	keywords = {Caribbean Sea, marine ecology, Meiobenthos, nematodes, species diversity, tropical environment},
	doi = {DOI 10.1016/j.ecss.2009.08.002},
	author = {Armenteros, M. and Ruiz-Abierno, A. and Fernandez-Garces, R. and Perez-Garcia, J. A. and Diaz-Asencio, L. and Vincx, M and Decraemer, W.}
}
@article {Moens:1998rm,
	title = {On the cultivation of free-living marine and estuarine nematodes},
	journal = {Helgolander Meeresuntersuchungen},
	volume = {52},
	year = {1998},
	pages = {115-139},
	publisher = {BIOLOGISCHE ANSTALT HELGOLAND},
	address = {BIBLIOTHEK COLUMBUSSTR, D-27568 BREMERHAVEN, GERMANY},
	abstract = {Although a large body of literature exists on the systematics and ecology of free-living marine and brackish-water nematodes, key questions on the nature and magnitude of interactions between nematodes and other organisms in the benthos remain unanswered. Relatively few authors have investigated live nematodes in food web studies or in experiments dealing with the nematodes{\textquoteright} response to a varying environment. It is mainly for the latter purpose that attempts have been made to maintain, rear and cultivate selected species. This paper describes the methodology used for the maintenance, rearing, and eventual permanent agnotobiotic cultivation of a variety of estuarine nematodes. Spot plates, where small samples of sediment or macrophyte material are inoculated on a sloppy agar layer, have been used for the purpose of maintenance and initial cultivation. Those species that reproduce on spot plates are then selected for monospecific cultivation on agar layers with different nutrient enrichments and with micro-organisms cotransferred from the spot plates as food. Mixtures of bacto and nutrient agar prepared in artificial seawater were specifically suitable for the xenic cultivation of nine bacterivorous and, when supplied with Erdschreiber nutrients, two algivorous/bacterivorous nematode species. Up to three generations of five other nematode species have been reared under laboratory conditions, and several more were kept alive and active for variable periods of time on agar. Generation times observed on spot plates for Adoncholaimus fuscus and Oncholaimus oxyuris were substantially shorter than previously published estimates and suggest a correspondingly higher predatory and scavenging potency for these and related enoplids. A procedure for the long-term storage of nematodes at -80 degrees C with glycerol as a cryoprotectant was successfully used for Diplolaimella dievengatensis, Panagrolaimus sp. 1, and Pellioditis marina, but not for Diplolaimelloides meyli. The authors have also summarized the existing literature on the cultivation of marine and brackish-water nematodes. Continuous cultivation appears to have been successful mainly for Aufwuchs and epiphytic nematodes; only few sediment-dwellers have been established in permanent culture. Of only just over 30 species that have ever been cultivated, more than half belong to one family (Monhysteridae) and three are Rhabditida, an order poorly represented in the marine environment. Four species have been grown in monoxenic and one in axenic culture, the latter though with limited success. It is concluded that our understanding of the basic nutritional requirements of marine nematodes is as yet insufficient, and that the culture techniques which have so far mainly deployed agar or Liquid substrates, while being suitable for the cultivation of Aufwuchs and epiphytic nematodes, do not accurately enough mimic gradients specific of the natural habitat of many sediment-dwellers.},
	keywords = {agnotobiotic, axenic, cultivation, estuarine, maintenance, marine, nematodes, Westerschelde Estuary, xenic},
	author = {Moens, T and Vincx, M}
}
@article {Sohlenius:2009yf,
	title = {Distribution and population structure of two bacterial-feeding nematode genera in ice-free areas in East Antarctica},
	journal = {Nematology},
	volume = {11},
	year = {2009},
	pages = {189-201},
	publisher = {BRILL ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS},
	address = {PLANTIJNSTRAAT 2, P O BOX 9000, 2300 PA LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS},
	abstract = {Very dense populations of nematodes of the genera Plectus and Panagrolaimus were found in moss cushions and in ornithogenic soils in a number of localities on mountain outcrops (nunataks) penetrating the ice sheet and in a coastal oasis in East Antarctica. These high abundances permitted analysis of the structure of populations from various sites. Patterns of distribution and size-class composition in nematode populations from the Basen nunatak, and from scattered samples taken in a larger area including several nunataks and one coastal oasis in Dronning Maud Land, were investigated. It is suggested that the composition of developmental stages and structure of the nematode populations are influenced by environmental conditions such as food supply, temperature and maybe predation or competition from coexisting populations of tardigrades, protozoans and rotifers. The results indicated that the population dynamics were not synchronised among the sites. In several populations the animals appeared well fed with a high frequency of gravid females. In the more extreme localities, in particular, the proportion of adults was very high, and in these sites the recruitment to the populations appeared to be rather low as indicated by the low proportion of juveniles. The structure of the nematode populations seemed little influenced by various combinations of co-occurring tardigrades or rotifers. There were some differences in population structure between nematode populations from different nunataks which could possibly be caused by genetic variability due to long periods of isolation.},
	keywords = {East Antarctica, length classes, nematodes, nunataks, Panagrolaimus, Plectus, population dynamics},
	doi = {DOI 10.1163/156854109X429538},
	author = {Sohlenius, Bjorn and Bostrom, Sven}
}
@article {Soetaert:2002tg,
	title = {Size and shape of ocean margin nematodes: morphological diversity and depth-related patterns},
	journal = {Marine Ecology-Progress Series},
	volume = {242},
	year = {2002},
	pages = {179-193},
	publisher = {INTER-RESEARCH},
	address = {NORDBUNTE 23, D-21385 OLDENDORF LUHE, GERMANY},
	abstract = {We studied the composition and variation of nematode body size as a function of nematode depth in the sediment and water depth at 18 stations, ranging from 137 to 4951 m depth, along the Galician margin (NE Atlantic). The analysis is based on more than 10 000 individuals and demonstrates that nematodes have adapted mainly in response to the vertical changing conditions in the sediment. Nematode length and width are similar in the upper 0.5 cm of sediment at all stations, but differ greatly as their depth in the sediment increases. The observed trends are consistent with an adaptation to changing oxygen concentrations in the sediments. In lower slope and abyssal plain stations, oxygen decreases gradually until depletion at about 5 cm depth, and nematode body width decreases concurrently, resulting in higher oxygen absorption efficiency per unit of volume. On the shelf and in the canyons, sediments become anoxic at short distances below the sediment-water interface, and more than 50\% of the nematodes are present in the anoxic part of the sediment. Here, mean nematode length increases as their depth in the sediment increases. This may result in increased mobility, which enables the organisms to migrate between anoxic patches of food and parts of the sediment where oxygen is available and/or the ability to bridge the gap between oxic and anoxic patches with their body. Order of magnitude calculation shows that in shelf sediments, the chemosynthetic bacterial production, which accompanies the oxidation of reduced substances, can not fulfill the feeding requirements of nematodes in the anoxic zone. The different size adaptations with sediment depth in shallow as compared to deep stations combined with deeper penetration of nematodes into the sediment at shallow water depth cause the observed pattern of miniaturization with increasing water depth. We conclude that nematode size distribution is determined by food availability. However, organic matter, as a food source, is not directly responsible,,as a limiting resource, but indirectly because its respiration generates reduced conditions in the sediment. Within the smaller size range (<500 mum length), there are 2 clearly distinct morphological types, which, to a certain extent, impart a taxonomic division. Similar findings at other localities suggest that this is a common feature of nematodes from ocean margin areas. One group consists of corpulent nematodes, which are less than 15 times as long as wide; most prominent in this group are members of the order of the Desmoscolecida. The other group contains significantly more slender nematodes and comprises a large variety of nematode taxa. We hypothesize that this duality in nematode design reflects an ecological adaptation designed to meet the conflicting requirements of either increased mobility (slender) or reduced vulnerability to predation (corpulent) at these small sizes.},
	keywords = {nematodes, ocean margin, sediment biogeochemistry, size-depth hypothesis},
	author = {Soetaert, K. and Muthumbi, A and HEIP, C}
}
@article {Urban-Malinga:2006cl,
	title = {Comparison of nematode communities in Baltic and North Sea sublittoral, permeable sands - Diversity and environmental control},
	journal = {Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science},
	volume = {70},
	year = {2006},
	pages = {224-238},
	publisher = {ACADEMIC PRESS LTD ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD},
	address = {24-28 OVAL RD, LONDON NW1 7DX, ENGLAND},
	abstract = {The structure of free-living nematode communities was investigated seasonally at two sandy locations representing typical shallow sublittotal, permeable environments of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. At the Baltic study site the chlorophyll and organic carbon concentrations in the sediment were, on average, four times lower than at the North Sea. Highest nematode densities (1674-4100 ind. 10 cm(-2)) and a higher number of free-living nematode genera (66) were recorded in the North Sea (Baltic: 206-1227 ind. 10 cm(-2), 30 genera). Despite lower salinity and lower food availability the less dense and less diverse Baltic nematode community was similar in generic composition to the North Sea community. At the North Sea site, all trophic groups according to Wieser{\textquoteright}s classification were present with omnivores/predators, dominated by Viscosia, prevailing and followed by epistrate-feeders. In the food-limited Baltic community, non-selective deposit feeders (mainly Ascolaimus, Axonolaimus and Daptonema) and omnivores/predators dominated by Enoplolaimus were the most abundant trophic groups while selective deposit feeders were absent or their contribution was negligible. An analysis of the vertical generic distribution revealed highest diversity of the Baltic community in deeper sediment layers, below the sediment surface affected by ripple migration and near the interface of oxic and anoxic conditions. The diversity pattern in the North Sea sediment was more variable but generally showed high diversity in the upper centimetre of the sediment. These observations suggest that food supply and sediment oxygenation are the most important factors influencing the vertical pattern of nematode generic diversity in sublittoral, permeable sands. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
	keywords = {Baltic, diversity, nematodes, North Sea, permeable sands, sublittoral sands},
	doi = {DOI 10.1016/j.ecss.2006.06.020},
	author = {Urban-Malinga, Barbara and Hedtkamp, Stefanie I. C. and van Beusekom, Justus E. E. and Wiktor, Jozef and Weslawski, Jan Marcin}
}
@article {Moens:1999ez,
	title = {Selective attraction of marine bacterivorous nematodes to their bacterial food},
	journal = {Marine Ecology-Progress Series},
	volume = {176},
	year = {1999},
	pages = {165-178},
	publisher = {INTER-RESEARCH},
	address = {NORDBUNTE 23, D-21385 OLDENDORF LUHE, GERMANY},
	abstract = {This paper explores the role of selective attraction to food in determining the spatial (micro)distribution of closely related nematode species. The attractiveness of 3 different bacterial strains to 4 species of Monhysteridae, Diplolaimelloides meyli, Diplolaimella dievengatensis, Monhystera sp. and Geomonhystera disjuncta, was studied in a multiple choice design. In our study area, the 4 nematode species considered are associated with Spartina anglica detritus decay and have partially overlapping microhabitat preferences. As they all belong to the same feeding guild, they are potential competitors for food. Each of the 4 nematode species was attracted to the bacterial strain B1, but important interspecific differences were noted in the nematodes{\textquoteright} response to Live or heat-killed bacteria, to bacteria at different tell densities or of different age, and to the filtered supernatant of B1 culture. While the responses of D. meyli to the Gram-positive bacteria Halobacillus trueperi and to the Gramnegative Escherichia coli were similar, D. dievengatensis and Monhystera sp, were preferentially attracted to H. trueperi and E. coli, respectively. This opposite preference influenced both the numbers and their relative abundances of D. dievengatensis and Monhystera sp, inside bacterial patches in experiments with a mixed 2-species nematode inoculum. Bacterial cell density strongly influenced the nematode response, with D, meyli invariably preferring the highest cell densities offered, while D. dievengatensis and Monhystera sp, had a peak response at lower cell densities. Though chemotaxis is suggested as an underlying mechanism, the nature of the nematodes{\textquoteright} response remains unproved. The present results strongly support the importance of food patchiness in determining the heterogeneous distribution of nematodes, and extend the concept in such a way as to allow for small differences in microhabitat choice between closely related species. They also support the view that nematodes are specialist feeders, though they probably select spots where suitable food is plentiful rather than individual food particles. Finally, the present study offers a baseline for an understanding and further study of patterns of succession among nematode species associated with decaying Spartina anglica detritus in terms of highly specific relationships with different strains, growth stages, and densities of bacteria involved in the mineralization of Spartina anglica-derived organic matter.},
	keywords = {bacteria, chemotaxis, estuarine, microdistribution, nematodes, recruitment, species succession, taxis},
	author = {Moens, T and Verbeeck, L and de Maeyer, A and Swings, J and Vincx, M}
}
@article {Hodda:2007pb,
	title = {Phylum Nematoda},
	journal = {Zootaxa},
	volume = {1668},
	year = {2007},
	note = {Zootaxa},
	pages = {265-293},
	publisher = {MAGNOLIA PRESS},
	address = {PO BOX 41-383, AUCKLAND, 1030, NEW ZEALAND},
	abstract = {The systematics of nematodes is reviewed, including: an overview of the general biology, ecology, scientific and economic importance of the group; a history of classification; evolutionary affinities and origins of nematodes; and the current diagnosis of the group. Alternative classifications within the Phylum Nematoda are discussed, and a classification to family level incorporating the latest molecular, developmental and morphological research is presented. This classification reflects the current views on evolution within the phylum, as well as significant areas of uncertainty, particularly related to the early evolution of nematodes. It includes 5 classes, 9 subclasses, 23 superorders, 39 orders, 52 suborders, 89 superfamilies and 241 families. There are few changes at the superfamily and family levels.},
	keywords = {biology, classification, ecology, economic importance, nematodes, phylogeny},
	author = {Hodda, Mike}
}
