Contents. 1 Introduction to Meiobenthology Meiobenthos and Meiofauna: Definitions A History of Meiobenthology...

Transcription

1 Contents 1 Introduction to Meiobenthology Meiobenthos and Meiofauna: Definitions A History of Meiobenthology The Biotope: Factors and Study Methods Abiotic Factors (Sediment Physiography) Sediment Pores and Particles Granulometric Characteristics The Sediment Water Regime Physicochemical Characteristics Biotic Habitat Factors: A Connected Complex Detritus and Particulate Organic Matter (POM) Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) Mucus, Exopolymers, and Biofilms Bacteria Microphytobenthos Higher Plants Animals Structuring the Ecosystem Conclusion: The Microtexture of Natural Sediments Sampling and Processing Meiofauna Sampling Number of Replicates and Size of Sampling Units Sampling Devices Processing of Meiofaunal Samples Preserving Meiofauna in Their Natural Void System Extraction of Meiofauna Fixation and Preservation Processing and Identifying Meiofaunal Organisms Extraction of Pore Water xiii

2 xiv Contents 4 Biological Characteristics of Meiofauna Adaptations to the Biotope Adaptations to Narrow Spaces: Miniaturization, Elongation, Flexibility Adaptations to the Mobile Environment: Adhesion, Special Locomotion, Reinforcing Structures Adaptations to the Three-Dimensional Dark Environment: Static Organs, Reduction of Pigment and Eyes Adaptations Related to Reproduction and Development Meiofauna Taxa: A Systematic Account Protista (Protoctista) Foraminifera (Rhizaria: Granuloreticulosa) Heliozoa (Actinopodia) Amoebozoa ( Rhizopoda ): Gymnamoebea, Testacea Ciliophora (Ciliata) Cnidaria Hydroida (Medusae) Hydroida (Polyps) Scyphozoa Anthozoa Free-Living Platyhelminthes: Turbellarians Major Turbellarian Groups Distributional and Ecological Aspects Gnathifera Gnathostomulida Rotifera, Rotatoria Micrognathozoa Nemertinea Nemathelminthes: A Valid Taxon? Nematoda (Free-Living) Kinorhyncha Priapulida Loricifera Gastrotricha Tardigrada Crustacea Cephalocarida Anostraca: Anomopoda ( Cladocera ; Branchiopoda ) Ostracoda

3 Contents xv Mystacocarida Copepoda: Harpacticoida Copepoda: Cyclopoida and Siphonostomatoida Malacostraca Chelicerata: Acari Halacaroidea: Halacaridae Freshwater Mites: Hydrachnidia, Stygothrombiidae, and Others Palpigradi (Arachnida) Pycnogonida, Pantopoda Terrigenous Arthropoda (Thalassobionts) Annelida Polychaeta Oligochaeta Annelida Incertae sedis Sipuncula Mollusca Monoplacophora and Aplacophora Gastropoda Tentaculata Brachiopoda Bryozoa, Ectoprocta Kamptozoa, Entoprocta Echinodermata Holothuroidea Chaetognatha Tunicata (Chordata) Ascidiacea Sorberacea Meiofaunal Taxa: Concluding Remarks Evolutionary and Phylogenetic Effects in Meiobenthology Body Structures of Evolutionary Relevance Meiofauna in the Fossil Record Patterns of Meiofauna Distribution Evolutionary Aspects Zoogeographic Aspects Mechanisms of Dispersal Geological Structures and Processes Ecological Aspects of Distributional Importance: Horizontal Patterns Vertical Zonation of Meio benthos

4 xvi Contents 8 Meiofauna from Selected Biotopes and Regions Polar Regions Sea Ice Marine Subtropical and Tropical Regions Tropical Sands Mangroves The Deep-Sea The Habitat The Meiofauna Dysoxic, Anoxic, and Sulfidic Environments: Discussing the Thiobios Reducing Habitats of the Thiobios Thiobiotic Meio benthos Survival of Thiobios Under Anoxia and Sulphide Mechanisms and Adaptations Food Spectrum of the Thiobios Distribution and Succession of the Thiobios Diversity and Evolution of the Thiobios Chemoautotrophy-Based Ecosystems: Vents, Seeps, and Other Exotic Habitats Phytal Habitats and Hard Substrates Brackish Water Sites Freshwater Biotopes Running Waters: Stream and River Beds The Groundwater System Standing Waters, Lakes Polluted Habitats General Aspects and Method Survey Selected Cases of Pollution and Meiofauna Synecological Perspectives in Meiobenthology Community Structure and Diversity Processes of Recolonization Community Structure and Size Spectra The Meio benthos in the Benthic Energy Flow General Considerations Assessing Production: Abundance, Biomass, P/B Ratio, Respiration The Energetic Divergence Between Meiofauna and Macrofauna The Position of Meiofauna in the Benthic Ecosystem: A Compilation of Energy Fluxes The Meiofauna as Members of the Small Food Web Links Between the Meiofauna and the Macrofauna Meiofauna as an Integrative Benthic Complex

5 Contents xvii 10 Retrospect on Meiobenthology and Outlook on New Approaches and Future Research References Glossary Index

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