Population Dynamics and Description of Ptycholaimellus hibernus n. sp. (Nematoda: Chromadoridae)

Authors

  • Richard A. Eskin
  • Bruce E. Hopper

Abstract

Ptycholaimellus hibernus n. sp. from the muddy subtidal of North Inlet Estuary, Georgetown, South Carolina, is described and a key to the genus is provided. P. hibernus differs from all other species of Ptycholaimellus by the shape of the gubernaculum. Ptycholaimellus sp. 2 Hopper 1969 is synonymized with P. ponticus. The abundance of P. hibernus, measured over a g-year period, is greatest from January to March, coinciding with minimal annual water temperatures (10-15 C). P. hibernus abundance was significantly (negatively) correlated with water temperature and (positively) with the depth of the anoxic sediment layer. Key words: ecology, free-living marine nematode, South Carolina, new species, temperature, salinity, taxonomy.

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Published

1985-01-15

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Articles