The meiobenthos of five mangrove vegetation types in Gazi Bay, Kenya

The vertical distribution of meiofauna in the sediments of Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora mucronata and Sonneratia alba at Gazi Bay (Kenya), is described. Seventeen taxa were observed, with highest densities in the sediments of Bruguiera, followed by Rhizophora, Avicennia, Sonneratsia and Ceriops. Nematodes accounted for up to 95% of total densities; other common taxa were copepods, turbellarians, oligochaetes, polychaetes, ostracods and rotifers. High densities occurred to about 20 cm depth in the sediment. Especially Ceriops sediments show still high densities of nematodes and copepods in the deepest layer. Particle size and oxygen conditions were major factors influencing meiobenthic distribution; Uca burrows had a major impact on distribution and abundance of meiofauna