The tip of the iceberg: extraordinarily high diversity while examining two infralittoral nematode communities on Okinawa-jima Island, Japan, using morphology and DNA barcoding.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nematodes are among the most diverse and abundant metazoans in aquatic habitats, contributing significantly to global biodiversity. Despite their abundance and importance, the presumed number of undescribed species is high and their diversity is often underestimated.

Methods

In this research, sediment samples were collected from three microhabitats (bare sand, seagrass, coral) in two sites around Okinawa-jima Island in subtropical southern Japan. Nematode specimens were obtained by filtering the sediment and were then used to determine meiofaunal assemblages with morphology and molecular methods at the two sites and to compare them with environmental variables.

Results

The results showed an overwhelmingly high biodiversity of nematofauna with both methods.

SUBMITTER: Carletti M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12317692 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature