Majdi, Nabil. Meiofauna in river epilithic biofilm: Dynamics and trophic relationships. PhD, Functional Ecology, Université Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III, 2011, 172 p.
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Abstract
The long-term dynamics of meiofauna with regards to environmental constraints was monitored in epilithic biofilms of the Garonne River, France. In addition, HPLC-analysis of nematode gut pigment content and a stable isotope multi-approach—including measurement of δ13C and δ15N natural signatures and an in situ 13C-labelling experiment—were performed to disentangle trophic interactions involving biofilm-dwelling meiofauna. Hydrological scenarios and fluctuation of microphyte availability primarily shaped the structure of the meiobenthic community. Also, possible interferences with macro-invertebrate grazers were suspected during July. Chromadorina spp. nematodes grazed non-selectively on epilithic diatom contents, while most of their diet likely derived from extra-cellular polymeric substances produced by microphytes. Freshly photosynthesized carbon was rapidly incorporated by meiofauna, although quantitatively, macrofaunal Chironomidae were the most important grazers.
Item Type: | PhD Thesis |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | Meiofauna - Nematodes - Biofilm - River - Algae - Diatoms - Gut contents - Stable isotopes - HPLC - Trophic interactions - Grazing - Arbon flow - Population dynamics - Garonne |
Institution: | French research institutions > Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRS (FRANCE) Université de Toulouse > Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse - Toulouse INP (FRANCE) Université de Toulouse > Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier - UT3 (FRANCE) |
Laboratory name: | |
Funders: | French department of higher education and research |
Research Director: | Tackx, Michèle and Buffan-Dubau, Evelyne |
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Deposited On: | 15 Apr 2013 08:43 |
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