Diversity and distribution of free-living nematodes within periazoic level on the Romanian Shelf of the Black Sea

Abstract

Based on 13 samples collected within the FP7 HYPOX project in two periods (14-24 May 2010 and 02-08 April 2011), the paper presents the taxonomic diversity and abundances of free-living marine nematodes within the periazoic level. There were found 52 taxa with a broad variability regarding their distribution at depths ranging from 100 to 200 m. The dominant species were the following: Sabatieria abyssalis, Linhomoeus sp., Oncholaimus campylocercoides, Halanonchus bullatus and Odontophora angustilaimus. The only species found at depths up to 180-200 m were Linhomoeus sp., S. abyssalis, Viscosia sp., and Terschellingia longicaudata.