Distribution of Anoplostoma viviparum (Nematoda) in Southampton Water sediments

The juveniles, non-gravid females, gravid females and males of the free-living marine nematode Anoplostoma viviparum Bastian showed markedly different distributions within layers of mud from Southampton Water sampled during the early spring of 1975. Of the total population, 92% of gravid females occurred in the anoxic layer, 73% of juveniles occurred in the flocculant layer, non-gravid females and males were found in approximately equal numbers in both the flocculant and oxidised layers but none in the anoxic layer. A tentative activity cycle based on these distributions is put forward for consideration, taking into account the water movement within the estuary.