A relação entre Carijoa riisei (Cnidaria, Octocorallia) e a comunidade da meiofauna com ênfase em nematoda em dois naufrágios do Atlântico Sul

Abstract

This is the first study that sought to understand the influence that Carijoa riisei has on the meiofauna and nematode community, we start from the hypothesis that the colonies of this octocoral may increase the abundance and/or diversity of the meiofauna in comparison to areas without C.riisei. In addition, we believe that there is a difference in some trophic groups of the nematode community for a particular sedimentary or the structure of the octocoral. Our results indicated that there is a direct and significant relationship between the meiofauna community found in the sediment of the shiwrecks and that associated with the colonies of C. riisei, this pattern was also observed for nematode community. The highest values of abundance as well as diversity and evenness were observed in the octocoral community, it was also possible to verify significant difference between the dry and rainy periods. Trophic groups had a preference for certain habitat, and were also influenced by seasonal variation. In summary, from 839 individuals found, 652 were associated with the octocoral structure, and only 184 in the adjacent sediment. Future information regarding biogeographic patterns and migration indices may contribute significantly to a better understanding of the relationship between organisms as substrate and the fauna living within.