Occurrence of tardigrades and morphometric and chemical conditions in rock pools by the Baltic Sea.

ABSTRACT: Rock pools are eroded depressions in bedrock providing temporary aquatic habitats with varying morphometric and chemical conditions. Tardigrades have adapted to many habitats with varying and extreme abiotic conditions, including desiccation, but their occurrence in rock pools have rarely been investigated. This study investigated the occurrence of tardigrades and the morphometric and chemical conditions in rock pools by the Baltic Sea in southeast Sweden. Samples of benthic material were collected from rock pools at three sites near the town Karlshamn together with measurements of pool size, pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen of the water. Tardigrades occurred in about one fifth of the rock pools and included five eutardigrade genera. Also rotifers and nematodes were observed

SUBMITTER: Troell S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10643634 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature