Meiofauna distribution in Martel Inlet, King George Island (Antarctica): sediment features versus food availability

Abstract

The meiofauna density in Martel Inlet, Admiralty Bay, King George Island (Antarctica) was studied in order to better understand the spatial patterns of meiofauna distribution in shallow polar seas. Sampling was undertaken by scuba-diving at 15 m depth at 7 stations during the summers of 1996/1997 and 1997/1998. The meiofauna was dominated by nematodes (>60%), followed by copepods, nauplii and polychaetes. The mean densities found during the 2 years studied (4.09 and 3.5×10⁶ ind. m^–2) suggest that the shallow area of Martel Inlet is characterized by higher numbers of meiofaunal organisms than are found in other ecosystems, which is in agreement with other meiofaunal studies carried out in polar areas. It may be concluded that it is mainly the sedimentary features that influence the meiofauna distribution. However, food availability must contribute to the support of the higher meiofauna densities found in the inlet.