Studies on the Psammolittoral Meiofauna of Algoa Bay

Abstract

The meiofauna communities at three tide levels on a sheltered and an exposed beach have been analysed and compared. Twenty-nine nematode, eight harpacticoid and two mystacocarid species and species groups have been used. A similarity analysis indicated three distinct communities, one occurring in sand that dries out during low tide, one occurring in fine sand that remains saturated during low tide and one occurring in coarser sand that remains saturated during low tide. Diversities decreased from high to low tide levels on both beaches regardless of meiofauna numbers. The distribution of nematode feeding types is discussed.