Spatial distribution pattern of the aberrant Franciscideres kalenesos (Kinorhyncha) on sandy beaches of Southern Brazil

We described the abundance and distribution of the kinorhynch Franciscideres kalenesos on two intermediate-dissipative sandy beaches of Southern Brazil. For the Factorial sampling design (FSD), six transects at each beach were delimited and divided into two distinct profiles, sandbars and rip currents. Transects were divided into three hydrodynamic zones: shoaling zone, surf zone, and swash zone. At the Geospatial sampling design (GSD), six transects with six points at each transect were georeferenced along one sandbar and two rip currents. We used additive model selection for the FSD and geospatial interpolation for the GSD. The presence of this organism occurred in patches, changing among sites, but mainly at the surf zone. These patches were abundant in places with fine sand. At the GSD, higher abundances were immediately after the wave breaking zone. Thus, the distribution pattern of F. kalenesos was related to the hydrodynamic zones in intermediate/dissipative beaches. Also, the distribution pattern of F. kalenesos occurred in a narrow strip of the beach, located in a high turbulence zone. Within this zone, they showed patches separated every 30 meters. The observed zonation in sandy beaches and the patchy distribution in turbulent habitats like these have not previously been described for a species of this phylum.
Source: A Journal of Comparative Zoology - Category: Zoology Source Type: research