Community Structure and Estimated Contribution of Primary Consumers (Nematodes and Copepods) of Decomposing Plant Litter (Juncus Roemerianus and Rhizophora Mangle) in South Florida

摘要

The paper discusses the meiofauna associated with decomposing leaf litter from two species of coastal marshland plants: the black needle rush, Juncus roemerianus and the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle. The following aspects were investigated: (1) types of meiofauna present, especially nematodes; (2) changes in meiofaunal community structures with regard to season, station location, and type of plant litter; (3) amount of nematode and copepod biomass present on the decomposing plant litter; and (4) an estimation of the possible role of the nematodes in the decomposition process. 28 references, 5 figures, 9 tables. (ERA citation 10:009074)