349 MBCB  Challenge Questions

Chapter 7   Meiofauna

Use research to answer the following questions. Be thorough.

 

1.      To what do the terms interstitial, psammon, and meiofauna refer?  What do the modifiers meso- and thalasso- mean?

 

2.      What is / are the most important factor (s) influencing the types of organisms present in the interstitial environment?  Examine how grain size affects water drainage and oxygen content.

 

3.      Why are psammic organisms mainly vermiform?  What is aworm?

 

4.      Why is a freshwater flood usually of little matter to marine meiofauna.  Discuss.