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Intertidal nematode communities in the Mekong estuaries of Vietnam and their potential for biomonitoring

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Abstract

Nematode communities in eight Mekong estuaries were investigated during the dry season. The aim of the study was to identify the structure and the diversity of the communities in relation to the main environmental characteristics. In each estuary, three to four intertidal sampling stations were identified at regular distances from the mouth to up to 45 km land inward. The nematode communities showed a strong correlation with sediment composition and to a lesser degree with chlorophyll a concentrations. Multivariate analysis resulted in the identification of four types of communities. We identified two types of Desmodora communities in the sandy mouth stations and two types of Parodontophora communities in the silty sand stations. One of the silt associated communities showed a preference for higher chlorophyll a concentrations, resulting in higher densities and higher diversity, mainly of monhysterid species. Because of the strong association between community structure and sediment composition, nematodes are a meaningful tool for monitoring changes in their environment. In case their community deviates from what is expected based on sediment, it may serve as an early warning for disturbance.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Mr. Dirk Van Gansbeke, Ghent University, Belgium for his sampling guidance, sediment, and chemical analyses. We also thank Dr. Jan Vanaverbeke and Dr. Ingels Jeroen for their help and discussion about the SIMPROF and draftsman plot analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Environmental Quality, Atmospheric Science and Climate Change & Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Ngo Xuan Quang

  2. Department of Environmental Management and Technology, Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 85, Tran Quoc Toan, Dist.3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Ngo Xuan Quang

  3. Department of Nematology, Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nguyen Ngoc Chau

  4. Postgraduate International Nematology Course, Biology Department, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Nic Smol

  5. Institute of Biology and Soil Science (IBSS) FEB RAS, Vladivostok, Russia

    Larisa Prozorova

  6. Marine Biology Research Group, Biology Department, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Ann Vanreusel

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  1. Ngo Xuan Quang
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  2. Nguyen Ngoc Chau
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Correspondence to Ngo Xuan Quang.

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This work was funded by VLIR-UOS, Belgium.

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Quang, N.X., Chau, N.N., Smol, N. et al. Intertidal nematode communities in the Mekong estuaries of Vietnam and their potential for biomonitoring. Environ Monit Assess 188, 91 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5091-z

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