NEMATODE FAUNA IN CALCIC BICARBONATE SPRINGS IN THE PROVINCE OF GRANADA (SPAIN)

Abstract

Eleven springs were selected from a wider nematological study of 38 mineral-water springs for their low or mediutn-high conductivity and for the relative abundance of the bicarbonate and calcium ions. The nematode fauna found inhabiting these calcic bicarbonate springs comprised the sort of cosmopolitan species frequently found in rivers or lakes not subjected to extreme physico-chemical conditions. Eumonhystera barbata Andrássy 1981, Monhystrella hastata Andrássy 1968, Plectus parvus Bastian 1865, Chronogaster typica (De Man 1921) De Coninck 1935, Achromadora ruricola (De Man 1880) Micoletzky 1925 and Udonchus tenuicaudatus Cobb, 1913 were positively correlated with bicarbonate or calcium ions.