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Biological traits analysis of free-living nematodes as indicators of environmental quality at Lake Bacalar, Mexico

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Abstract

Free-living nematode distribution, abundance, diversity, and biological traits at Lake Bacalar were evaluated to assess the environmental quality of the water body. Using an Ekman grab, triplicate sediment samples were collected at 15 sampling sites. Nematodes were identified at family and genus levels, while abundance and diversity indices were calculated. Additionally, functional traits were calculated, and a PCA analysis was applied. The nematode fauna was represented by 6 orders, 18 families and 29 genera. Chromadorida had the highest number of taxa (9 genera), followed by Monhysterida (7 genera) and Enoplida (7 genera). Genera richness was higher at coarse sediments, with Simpson index values ranging 3.96−4.60, which were consistent with the Shannon index (H′ > 3 bits. ind−1). The maturity index varied from 2.5 to 3.1, with a higher percentage of cp-3–5 nematodes (> 55%). Multivariate analysis showed three nematode groups, one associated with chlorophyll a, pH, salinity, and silicates, the second group with dissolved oxygen, and organic matter, and a third group related with nutrient content in water. Biological traits showed a dominance of deposit feeders (37%) and epistrate feeders (35%). Nematode body shape was represented by slender (39%), medium plump (31%), while conical tails were dominant (68%) and the body length varied from < 500 to 3000 µm, with dominance of lengths > 500−750 (46%) and > 750−1250 (38%), organisms typical of oligotrophic lakes. Nematode assemblages, water chemical characteristics, mainly nutrient concentrations, and biological traits confirm the oligotrophic conditions at Lake Bacalar.

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Acknowledgements

This work was part of the project “Monitoring of water quality from Lakes of Quintana Roo” financed by FOMIX-QROO-2009-C01-123254. The critical comments of Ashleigh Smythe and two anonymous reviewers improved the manuscript substantially.

Funding

This work was funded by Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Grant no. COI-123254).

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  1. Departamento Sistemática y Ecología Acuática, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal, Av. Centenario km 5.5. A.P. 424, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

    Alberto de Jesús-Navarrete

  2. Departamento Ciencias de la Sustentabilidad, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Chetumal, Av. Centenario km 5.5. A.P. 424, Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

    Teresa Álvarez Legorreta

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  1. Alberto de Jesús-Navarrete
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de Jesús-Navarrete, A., Legorreta, T.Á. Biological traits analysis of free-living nematodes as indicators of environmental quality at Lake Bacalar, Mexico. Limnology 23, 355–364 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10201-021-00693-9

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