THE SIZE STRUCTURE OF DEEP-SEA MEIOBENTHOS IN THE NORTH-EASTERN ATLANTIC - NEMATODE SIZE SPECTRA IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

The size distribution of benthic nematodes was investigated along diff erent gradients of food availability in various regions of the north-e astern Atlantic: I, across the continental margin and Il, with increas ing distance from the continental rise. An overall trend for miniaturi zation with increasing distance from the food source was found. Moreov er, our results indicate that seasonally varying food supply or a peri odically pulsed input of organic matter to the sea floor affects nemat ode size spectra. The hypothesis is proposed that the life cycle of de ep-sea nematode species and hence the size structure of their populati ons are related to seasonal energy availability. This dependence might result in one year life spans of deep-sea nematodes and probably othe r meiofauna.