Ecological data on the interstitial meiofauna of the lower part of the beaches of the gulf of Tunis
Vitiello, P.; Triki, S.
Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis 55(3): 384-398
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-2509 PMID: 756703 Document Number: 126502
A quantitative comparison of the density of the meiofauna and the structure of the communities was made at 5 sites on the beaches of the Gulf of Tunis. Site no.1 was situated at the mouth of the watercourse, Medjerda and the other 4 sites further south on the coast. The density of the meiofauna varied between sites and was correlated with the salinity at the site. Site 2 had a density of 350 individuals/10 cm3 and the lowest salinity (26%) whereas sites 4 and 5 had densities of 4,344 and 4,313 individuals/10 cm3 and salinities of 36 and 38%, respectively. Nematodes (not named) formed the larger part of the fauna at all sites (approximately 50% at sites, 1, 3 and 4) except site 2 where divers organisms dominated. An investigation of the vertical distribution of the fauna showed that the highest density occurred between 6 and 10 cm.