02016nas a2200205   4500008004100000245012200041210006900163260006800232300001200300490000700312520122100319653002401540653002501564653001401589653002201603100002101625700001201646700001501658856013701673       2006                        eng d00aPatterns of nematode populations in the southwestem North Sea and their link to other components of the benthic fauna0 aPatterns of nematode populations in the southwestem North Sea an  aPO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDSbELSEVIER SCIENCE BV  a113-1270 v553 aThis article describes the major features of nematode assemblages collected at 19 stations in the southwestern North Sea and identifies dominant species within communities in relation to environmental parameters and anthropogenic activities. Patterns observed for meiobenthic nematodes were compared with those from larger-sized benthic fauna. Correlation analyses of nematode populations with the varied substrate occurring in the study area revealed that locations with similar sediment type and water depth were also most similar faunistically. The combined analysis of different faunal groups showed a notable similarity between species distribution patterns and this was partly based on common affinities for particular habitat conditions. The influence of factors related to sediment granulometry generally decreased with increasing size and mobility of the faunal group investigated. In terms of diversity and species composition, nematode communities encountered were similar to those occurring in comparable environments worldwide. As evident from sediment, contaminant and faunal analyses, acute effects of human activities on nematode populations seem unlikely. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.10acommunity structure10anematode assemblages10aNorth Sea10aspecies diversity1 aSchratzberger, M1 aWarr, K1 aRogers, SI  uhttps://nematoda.myspecies.info/content/patterns-nematode-populations-southwestem-north-sea-and-their-link-other-components-benthic-