RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEMATODE SPECIES AND THE PHYSICO.CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SPRING WATERS. II. TEMPERATURE

Abstract

In the province of Granada (Spain), 22 of the 38 springs sampled far a nematological study were defined as thermal, i.e., temperatures greater than 19ºC. The present study considers the influence of temperature on nematode populations and the specific composition of nematode communities. Temperatures greater than 25ºC were found to negatively affect the number of individuals more than the number of species found in the sampled sites. In studying specific nematode configuration, although none of the species could be considered thermophilic, species were found that showed a preference far hot water habitats, i.e. greater than 25ºC. Species measuring about 1 mm in length were found to proliferate in hot-water springs, and a significant number of male individuals were found in spring waters at 20-25ºC.