Zonation of meiobenthic copepods in a southeastern United States salt marsh

Abstract

Studies in various regions of southeastern U.S. Spartina alterniflora marshes indicate distinct zonation patterns of the meiobenthic copepods. Transversing a water depth gradient from the subtidal at the bottom of a tidal creek to the high intertidal marsh, one species, Microarthridion littorale, occurs along the entire gradient. Other species are common along certain large portions of the gradient and still others are restricted to subhabitats. Potential reasons for the observed distribution patterns include water depth, tidal exposure, and presence or absence of both vegetation and macrofaunal disturbers/predators.