the component of the fauna of a sea or lake bed comprising small (but not microscopic) animals, such as tiny worms and crustaceans
Derived forms
meiofaunal (ˌmeioˈfaunal)
adjective
Word origin
C20: from Greek meiōn less + fauna
Examples of 'meiofauna' in a sentence
meiofauna
Meiofauna represent one of the most abundant and diverse communities in marine benthic ecosystems.
Francesca Leasi, Jon L. Norenburg 2014, 'The Necessity of DNA Taxonomy to Reveal Cryptic Diversity and Spatial Distributionof Meiofauna, with a Focus on Nemertea', PLoS ONE10.1371/journal.pone.0104385. Retrieved from PLOS CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
However, studies of variation in meiofauna are presented with several important challenges.
Linse Katrin, Convey Peter, Sands Chester J, McInnes Sandra J 2008, 'Assessing meiofaunal variation among individuals utilising morphological and molecularapproaches: an example using the Tardigrada', BMC Ecologyhttp://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6785/8/7. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Seasonality (average temperature and rain intervals) had a significant impact on both meiofauna and macrofauna.
Christoph Ptatscheck, Walter Traunspurger 2015, 'Meio- and Macrofaunal Communities in Artificial Water-Filled Tree Holes: Effects ofSeasonality, Physical and Chemical Parameters, and Availability of Food Resources.',PLoS ONEhttp://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4540321?pdf=render. Retrieved from PLOS CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Additionally, meiofauna and macrofauna taxonomic composition was not significantly different between the sites.
Tanja Stratmann, Lisa Mevenkamp, Andrew K. Sweetman, Ann Vanreusel, Dick van Oevelen 2018, 'Has Phytodetritus Processing by an Abyssal Soft-Sediment Community Recovered 26 Yearsafter an Experimental Disturbance?', Frontiers in Marine Sciencehttp://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2018.00059/full. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
The results indicated the relationships within phytoplankton input, underlying phytodetritic layer and meiofauna.
Catherine Riaux-Gobin, Alain Dinet, Grégory Dugué, Gilles Vétion, Eric Maria, AntoineGrémare 2004, 'Phytodetritus at the sediment-water interface, NW Mediterranean Basin: spatial repartition,living cells signatures, meiofaunal relationships', Scientia Marinahttp://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/340. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Sedimentological variables had strong and significant effects on the meiofauna taxa.
Elaine F. Albuquerque, Ana Paula Brandão Pinto, Antonieta d'Alcântara de Queiroz Perez,Valéria Gomes Veloso 2007, 'Spatial and temporal changes in interstitial meiofauna on a sandy ocean beach of SouthAmerica', Brazilian Journal of Oceanographyhttp://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-87592007000200005. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Environmental parameters and meiofauna were sampled using three-to-four week intervals.
Paulo J. P. Santos, Mônica L. Botter-Carvalho, Ananias B. do Nascimento-Júnior, RaquelG. C. Marinho, Paulo V. V. C. Carvalho, Ana P. M. C. Valença 2009, 'Response of estuarine meiofauna assemblage to effects of fertilizer enrichment usedin the sugar cane monoculture. Pernambuco, Brazil', Brazilian Journal of Oceanographyhttp://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-87592009000100005. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Overlying phytoplankton biomass, hydrodynamics and relationships with meiofauna densities were also evaluated.
Catherine Riaux-Gobin, Alain Dinet, Grégory Dugué, Gilles Vétion, Eric Maria, AntoineGrémare 2004, 'Phytodetritus at the sediment-water interface, NW Mediterranean Basin: spatial repartition,living cells signatures, meiofaunal relationships', Scientia Marinahttp://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/340. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
The meiofauna (metazoans between 500 and 45 µm) were identified to major taxa.
Maickel Armenteros, Jason Paul Williams, Boris Creagh, Norberto Capetillo 2008, 'Spatial and temporal variations of meiofaunal communities from the western sectorof the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba: II. Seagrass systems', Revista de Biología Tropicalhttp://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-77442008000100004. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
These cylinders were inserted into microcosms containing sediment with indigenous meiofauna collected from the field.
TF. Maria, AM. Esteves, J. Vanaverbeke, A. Vanreusel 2013, 'Is nematode colonisation in the presence of Scolelepis in tropical sandy-beach sedimentsimilar to the colonisation process in temperate sandy beaches? A colonização dossedimentos de praias tropicais por nematódeos na presença de Scolelepis é similarao processo de colonização que ocorre em praias arenosas temperadas?', Brazilian Journal of Biologyhttp://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842013000100004. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)