Habitat Conditions and Distribution Pattern of the Gutless Oligochaete Phallodrilus leukodermatus
1982; Inter-Research; Volume: 8; Linguagem: Inglês
10.3354/meps008291
ISSN1616-1599
AutoresOlav Giere, Gerd Liebezeit, R. Dawson,
Tópico(s)Leaf Properties and Growth Measurement
ResumoABSRACT: Analysis of pore water and sediment for a number of physical and chemical parameters in carbonate sand cores from Bermuda, populated by the gutless oligochaete Phallodrilus leukodermatus, revealed that the worms are well supplied with dissolved nutrients originating primarily from intensive (bacterial) degradation of algal debris.On average, free amino acids ranged from 30 to 80 pm01 dm-3 pore water; total carbohydrates, from 4,000 to 7,000 pg dm-3; and dissolved organic carbon from ca. 20 to 30 pg dm-3.The sediments at or below the redox discontinuity layer, which usually contained the highest concentrations, harboured the richest populations of the tubificids (maximum densities about 85,000 ind.m-').This distribution pattern of gutless worms in relation to their ambient interstitial environment infers that these animals, which always associate with subcuticular bacteria, live preferably in oligoxic or anoxic sediments, rich in nutrients and hydrogen sulphide.Such adaptation compares well with that of other gutless animals recently investigated.
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