RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEMATODE SPECIES AND THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SPRING WATERS. I. CONDUCTIVITY

Abstract

The influence of conductivity on the nematode fauna of 38 mineral-medicinal springs in Spain was studied. An inverse relation was found between extremely high conductivity (greater than 2250 µS/cm) and particularly the number of individuals as well as the species present. The largest populations were found in those springs showing conductivity values of between 1250-150 µS/cm, springs with conductivity values between 750-1250 µS/cm also showed the highest abundance values. Of the 44 species belonging to orders Monhysterida, Araeolaimida, Chromadorida and Enoplida, a total of eight where most commonly found in springs with a high or extremely high conductivity value. Anatomical and morphological data for those species found to adapt best to environments of high conductivity are given.