Research Papers: Nematodes from an Estuarine Habitat Near Cedar Key, Florida

Abstract

A survey of nematode fauna in estuarine habitats in the Gulf of Mexico was conducted in the area of Cedar Key, Florida. Emphasis was placed upon the recovery of free living marine nematodes and plant parasitic nematodes. In general, more nematodes were recovered when tap water rather than sea water was used in the second centrifugation. Haliplectus spp. were the most common nematodes found; also some dorylaimids and tylenchids were recovered in the sample from the beach area. Helicotylenchus, Hoplolaimus, Dolichodorus n.sp. and tylenchidae were recovered from other samples and are very tolerant to the highly saline habitat.