International Journal of Marine Science 2014, Vol.4, No.42, 1-11
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4.2. Microscopic observations of alive Metazoa
From the sediment of the same station active
movement was observed for representative of the
free-living
Nematoda Theristus
sp. (Figures 9 and
Figure 10). This species was dominating the
nematodes fauna in samples from the anoxic and
sulfidic sediments.
Figure 9 Nematoda species
Theristus
sp. (male) found in the
seafloor sediments of Station 224and Station 263: A– general
view; B–head; C–spicula; D– includes (conjectural symbionts)
in the body
Figure 10 Movements of Nematoda
Theristus
sp; (Station 262)
The size of the individuals of the nematode species
Theristus sp. was rather large (1.55~1.94 mm). As
seen in photos during the observation (> 2 two hours)
this nematode changed actively its orientation in the
Petri dish, extending its body and coiling (Figure 10).
These results confirm that some metazoa organisms
can live in the anoxic and sulfidic sediments of the
Black Sea.
4.3 Microscopic observations of an alive unknown
form
One unusual finding was made in the meiobenthos
and it systematic affiliation is currently uncertain
(Figure 11). We can assume that this is a
representative of a single polyp of Anthozoa. Its body
was clearly subdivided into three parts: the apical
(head), middle (body) and lower part (base), which
plays a role for attachment to the substrate. Apparently,
in situ this animal lived attached as during microscopy
its orientation was vertical to the substrate (in this case
the bottom of the Petri dishes). Apical and basal parts
have the ability to diminish or widen (expand) their
volume and their color was more light compared to
the more dark median part.
Figure 11 Movements of unknown species (station MS
M15/262-1)
5 Taxonomic structure and abundance of
benthos
The macrobenthos that was identified in sediments of
the Bosporus outflow area between 100 m and 252 m
water depth included the following high taxa: Porifera,
Coelenterata, Mollusca: (Bivalvia, Gastropoda),
Annelida: (Polychaeta, Oligochaeta, Nemertini),
Echinodermata, Arthropoda (Crustacea). Highest
numbers of individuals were found at 150 m and at
200 m water depth (Figures 12 and Figure 13).
The meiobenthos between 100 m and 296 m included
the following 23 high taxa: Ciliophora, Coelenterata,
Gromiida, Foraminifera (soft-shelled and hard-shelled
forms). Rotifera, Gastrotricha, Turbellaria, Nematoda,
Kinorhyncha, Oligochaeta, Polychaeta, Nemertini,
Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Ophiuroidea, Harpacticoida,
Cumacea, Amphipoda, Tanaidacea, Ostracoda, Acari,
