International Journal of Marine Science, 2017, Vol.7, No.7, 59-66
65
warming. This applies to Arabian Sea also. If this happens we can expect further reduction in benthic biodiversity
of the region.
4 Conclusion
The meiofauna distribution and abundance recorded in this study is the baseline information derived from samples
collected robotically by a submersible
.
The metazoan abundance was characteristically lower in the present OMZ
area of north Arabian Sea than other OMZ areas of the world. However nematode remain the dominant form
within oxygen-minimum zones horizontally and vertically. Vertically meiofauna showed high reduction in number
with increasing sediment depth. Significant correlation with organic carbon of the sediment and no correlation
with oxygen support the earlier hypothesis that meiofauna abundance is strongly enhanced by quantity and quality
of food supply and virtual removal of predators and competitors by low oxygen in OMZ.
Authors’ contributions
Z.A. Ansari is responsible for part collection of data and writing the paper. Shahin Badesab is responsible for part collection of data
and analysis of sample. R. Singh is Responsible for identification of nematode feeding type. Hiroshi Kitazato is responsible for
overall guidance in the sampling and preparation of manuscript.
Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to Dr. S.W.A. Naqvi Director of NIO for encouragement. The tireless efforts of the officers and crew of both
R/V Yokosuka
and
Shinkai 6500
during YK08-11 is gratefully acknowledged.
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