Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Meiofauna of the Galápagos

A Review

  • Chapter
Galápagos Marine Invertebrates

Part of the book series: Topics in Geobiology ((TGBI,volume 8))

Abstract

About three hundred and ninety species of the marine meiofauna of the Galápagos Islands in fourteen higher invertebrate taxa are known. These animals are usually found living between sand grains on sandy beaches throughout the archipelago. The number of endemic genera and species is difficult to estimate due to inadequate comparative work in the eastern Pacific. It is supposed that only a smaller part of those approximately 300 taxa described from the Galápagos as new to science are endemic to the islands. Almost 90% of the Galápagos meiofauna species were reported by the Göttingen Galapagos Meiofauna Expedition.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abbott, D.P., 1966, Factors influencing the Zoogeographic affinities of the Galápagos inshore marine fauna, in: The Galápagos (R. Bowman, ed.) p. 108-122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armonies, W., 1988, Active emergence of meiofauna from intertidal sediment, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 43:151–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Augener, H., 1933, Die Polychaeten von den Galápagos-Inseln. The Norwegian Zoological Expedition to the Galápagos Islands 1925, conducted by Alf Wollebaeck, VI, Nyt. Mag. Naturvidensk (Oslo) 73:55–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P., 1969, Populationsdynamik, Lebenszyklen und Fortpflanzungsbiologie der Mikrofauna des Meeressandes, Verh. Dt. Zool. Ges. (1968) 32:66–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P., 1977, Problems of speciation in the interstitial fauna of Galápagos, in: The Meiofauna Species in Time and Space (W. Sterrer and P. Ax, eds.), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 61:29–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P., and Armonies, W., 1987, Amphiatlantic identities in the composition of the boreal brackish water community of Plathelminthes. A comparison between the Canadian and European Atlantic coast, Microfauna Mar. 3:7–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P. and Ax, R., 1974a, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. V. Otoplanidae (Turbellaria, Proseriata), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 27:1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P., and Ax, R., 1974b, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. VII. Nematoplanidae, Polystyliphoridae, Coelogynoporidae (Turbellaria, Proseriata), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 29:1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P., and Ax, R., 1977, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XIX. Monocelididae (Turbellaria, Proseriata), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 64:1–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P., and Ehlers, U., 1973, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. III. Promesostominae (Turbellaria, Typhloplanoida), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 34:1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P., and Schmidt, P., 1973, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. I. Einführung, Mikrofauna Meeresboden 20:1–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, J.H., and Harris, M.P., 1968, Spirorbinae (Polychaeta: Serpulidae) of the Galápagos Islands, J. Zool. (Lond.) 155:161–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartsch, I., 1977, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XX. Halacaridae (Acari), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 65:1–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartsch, J., and Schmidt, P., 1978, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXII. Zur Ökologie der Halacaridae (Acari), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 69:1–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bate, R.H., Whittaker, J.E. and Mayes, C.A., 1981, Marine Ostracoda of the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador, Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 73:1–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blome, D., 1985, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXXV. Chromadoridae (Nematoda), Microfauna Mar. 2:271–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bock, S., 1923, Boninia, a new polyclad genus from the Pacific, Nov. Act. Reg. Soc. (Uppsala), ser. 4, 6:1–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castro, C., 1958, Estudios sobre poliquetos chilenos Pisione oerstedi Gr., Rev. Biol. Mar. (Valparaiso) 7:183–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciasing, E., 1984, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos XXXII. Epsilonematidae (Nematodes), Microfauna Mar. 1:149–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coineau, N., and Schmidt, P., 1979, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXIV. Microparasellidae (Isopoda, Asellota), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 73:1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, B., and Ehlers, U., 1973, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. II. Gnathostomulida, Mikrofauna Meeresboden 22:1–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., 1973, Zur Populationsstruktur interstitieller Typhloplanoida und Dalyellioida (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 19:1–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., and Ax, P., 1974, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. VIII. Trigonostominae (Turbellaria, Typhloplanoida), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 30:1–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., and Dörjes, J., 1979, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXIII. Acoela (Turbellaria), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 72:1–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., and Ehlers, B., 1981, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXVII. Byrsophlebidae, Promesostomidae, Brinkmanniellinae, Kytorhynchidae (Turbellaria, Typhloplanoida), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 83:1–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., and Sopott-Ehlers, B., 1989, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos, XXXVIII, Haloplanella Luther und Pratoplana Ax (Typhloplanoida, Plathelminthes), Microfauna Mar. 5:191–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erséus, C., 1984, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos XXXIII. Tlibificidae (Annelida, Oligochaeta), Microfauna Mar. 1:191–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerlach, S.A., 1977, Means of meiofauna dispersal, in: The Meiofauna Species in Time and Space (W. Sterrer and P. Ax, eds.), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 61:89–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottwald, J., 1983, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXX. Podocopida 1 (Ostracoda), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 90:1–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagerman, G.M., and Rieger, R.M., 1981, Dispersal of benthic meiofauna by wave and current action in Bogue Sound, N.C., USA, P.S.Z.N. Mar. Ecol. 2:245–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartman, O., 1939, The polychaetous annelids collected by the Presidential cruise of 1938, Smithson. Misc. Coll. 98:1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartwig, E., 1973, Die Ciliaten des Gezeiten-Sandstrandes der Nordseeinsel Sylt. II. Ökologie, Mikrofauna Meeresboden 21:1–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks, G.R.G., 1988, Sediment rafting: a novel mechanism for the small-scale dispersal of intertidal estuarine meiofauna, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 48:69–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houvenaghel, G.T., and Houvenaghel, N., 1974, Aspects écologiques de la zonation intertidale sur les côtes rocheuses des îles Galapagos, Mar. Biol. 26:135–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoxhold, S., 1974, Zur Populationsstruktur und Abundanzdynamik interstitieller Kalyptorhynchia (Turbellaria, Neorhabdocoela), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 41:1–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hummon, W.D., Fleeger, J.W., and Hummon, M.R., 1976, Meiofauna-macrofauna interactions. I. Sand beach meiofauna affected by maturing Limulus eggs, Chesapeake Sci. 17:297–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hyman, L.H., 1939, Polyclad worms collected on the Presidential cruise of 1938, Smithson, Misc. Coll. 98:1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyman, L.H., 1953, Some polyclad flatworms from the Galápagos Islands, Allan Hancock Pacific Exped. 15:183–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinberg, J.G.H., 1865, Annulata nova, Öfv. Vet Akad. Stockholm Förh. 22:167–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKirdy, D., Schmidt, P., and McGinty-Bayly, M., 1976, Interstitielle Fauna von Galápagos. XVI. Tardigrada, Mikrofauna Meeresboden 68:1–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meineke, T., and Westheide, W., 1979, Gezeitenabhängige Wanderungen der Interstitialfauna in einem Sandstrand der Insel Sylt (Nordsee), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 75:1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mielke, W., 1979, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXV. Longipediidae, Canuellidae, Ectinosomatidae (Harpacticoida), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 77;1–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mielke, W., 1981, Interstitielle Fauna von Galápagos XXVIII. Laophontinae (Laophontidae), Ancorabolidae (Harpacticoida), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 84:1–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mielke, W., 1982a, Einige Laophontidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) von Panamá, Crustaceana 42:1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mielke, W., 1982b, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXIX. Darcythompsoniidea, Cylindropsyllidae (Harpacticoida). Mikrofauna Meeresboden 87:1–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mielke, W., 1984, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos XXXI. Paramesochridae (Harpacticoida), Microfauna Mar. 1:63–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mielke, W., 1985, Interstitielle Copepoda aus dem zentralen Landesteil von Chile: Cylindropsyllidae, Laophontidae, Ancorabolidae (Harpacticoida), Microfauna Mar. 2:181–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mielke, W., 1989a, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos, XXXVI. Tetragonicipitidae (Harpacticoida), Microfauna Mar. 5:95–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mielke, W., 1989b, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos, XXXVII. Metidae (Harpacticoida), Microfauna Mar. 5:173–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mock, H., and Schmidt, P., 1975, Interstitiella Fauna von Galapagos. XIII., Ototyphlonemertes Diesing (Nemertini, Hoplonemertini), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 51:1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monro, C.C. A., 1933, The Polychaeta Errantia collected by Dr. C. Crossland at Colon, in the Panama region and the Galápagos Islands during the expedition of the S.Y. “St. George”, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. pt 1:1–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noldt, U., and Hoxhold, S., 1984, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXXIV. Schizorhynchia (Plathel-inthes, Kalyptorhynchia), Microfauna Mar. 1:199–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, M.A., 1988, Dispersal of marine meiofauna: a review and conceptual model explaining passive transport and active emergence with implications for recruitment, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 48:81–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pokorny, V., 1970, The genus Radimella Pokorny, 1969 (Ostracoda, Crustacea) in the Galapagos Islands, Acta Univ. Carolinae, Geologica (1969) 4:293–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pokorny, V., 1972, The genus Caudites Corgell & Fields, 1937 (Ostracoda, Crustacea) in the Galapagos Islands, Acta Univ. Carolinae, Geologica (1970) 4:267–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, G. Ch, 1972, On the geographical distribution of interstitial fauna of marine beach sand, Proc. Ind. Nat. Sci. Acad. 38B:164–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renaud-Debyser, J., 1963, Recherches écologiques sur la fauna interstitielle des sables (Bassin d’Arcachon, île de Bimini, Bahamas), Vie Milieu 15(suppl.):1–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rioja, E., 1941, Estudios anelidologicos III. Datos para el conocimiento de la fauna de poliquetos de las costas del Pacifico de Mexico, An. Inst. Biol. Mex. 12:669–746.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruppert, E.E., 1977, Zoogeography and speciation in marine Gastrotricha, in: The Meiofauna Species in Time and Space (W. Sterrer and P. Ax, eds.), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 61:231–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, D.E., 1991, Exogoninae (Polychaeta: Syllidae) from the Belizean Barrier Reef with a key to species of Sphaerosyllis, J. Nat. Hist. 25:49–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, P., 1968, Die quantitative Verteilung und Populationsdynamik des Mesopsammons am

    Google Scholar 

  • Gezeiten-Sandstrand der Nordseeinsel Sylt. I. Faktorengefüge und biologische Gliederung des Lebensraumes, Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 53:723–779.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, R., 1969, Die quantitative Verteilung und Populationsdynamik des Mesopsammons am Gezeiten-Sandstrand der Nordseeinsel Sylt. II. Quantitative Verteilung und Populationsdynamik einzelner Arten, Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 54:95–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, P., 1972a, Zonierung und jahreszeitliche Fluktuationen des Mesopsammons im Sandstrand von Schilksee (Kieler Bucht), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 10:1–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, P., 1972b, Zonierung und jahreszeitliche Fluktuationen der interstitiellen Fauna in Sandstränden des Gebiets von Tromso (Norwegen), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 12:1–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, P., 1974a, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. IV. Gastrotricha, Mikrofauna Meeresboden 26: 1–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, P., 1974b, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. X. Kinorhyncha, Mikrofauna Meeresboden 43: 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, R., 1978, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXI. Lebensraum, Umweltfaktoren, Gesamtfauna, Mikrofauna Meeresboden 68:1–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, P., and Sopott-Ehlers, B., 1976, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XV., Macrostomum O. Schmidt, 1848 und Siccomacrostomum triviale nov. gen. nov. spec. (Turbellaria, Macrostomida), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 57:1–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, R., and Westheide, W., 1977, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XVII. Polygordiidae, Saccocrridae, Protodrilidae, Nerillidae, Dinophilidae (Polychaeta), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 62:1–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuster, R.O., and Grigarick, A.A., 1966, Tardigrada from the Galápagos and Cocos Islands, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. (4th ser.) 34:315–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sopott, B., 1973, Jahreszeitliche Verteilung und Lebenszyklen der Proseriata (Turbellaria) eines Sandstrandes der Nordseeinsel Sylt, Mikrofauna Meeresboden 15:1–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sopott-Ehlers, B., and Schmidt, P., 1974a, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. IX. Dolichomacrostomidae (Turbellaria, Macrostomida), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 34:1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sopott-Ehlers, B., and Schmidt, P., 1974b, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XII. Myozona Marcus (Trubellaria, Macrostomida), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 46:1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sopott-Ehlers, B., and Schmidt, R., 1975, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. IXV. Polycladida (Turbellaria), Mikrofauna Marina 54:1–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Specht, A., and Westheide, W., 1988, Intra-and interspecific ultrastructural character variation: The chaetation of the Microphthalmus-listensis-species-group (Polychaeta: Hesionidae) Zoomorphology 107:371–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sterrer, W., 1973, Plate tectonics as a mechanism for dispersal and speciation in interstitial sand fauna, Neth. J. Sea Res. 7:200–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stummer-Traunfels, R. von, 1933, Polycladida, in: Klassen und Ordnungen des Tierreichs (H. G. Bronn, ed.) 4, Abt. 1c, Liefg. 179:3485–3596.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teuchert, G., 1968, Zur Fortpflanzung und Entwicklung der Macrodasyoidea (Gastrotricha), Z. Morph. Tiere 63:343–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Triebel, E., 1956, Brackwasser-Ostracoden von den Galapagos-Inseln, Senck. Biol. 37:447–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., 1967, Monographie der Gattungen Hesionides Friedrich und Microphthalmus Mecznikow (Polychaeta, Hesionidae). Ein Beitrag zur Organisation und Biologie psammobionter Polychaeten, Z. Morph. Tiere 61:1–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., 1968, Zur quantitativen Verteilung von Bakterien und Hefen in einem Gezeitenstrand der Nordseeküste, Mar. Biol. 1:336–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., 1972, La faune des Polychètes et des Archiannélides dans les plages sableuses à versac de la côte méditerranéenne de la Tunisie, Bull. Inst. Oceanogr. Pêche, Salammbô 2:449–468.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., 1974, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XL Pisionidae, Hesionidae, Pilargidae, Syllidae (Polychaeta), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 44:1–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., 1977a, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XVIII. Nereidae, Eunicidae, Dorvilleidae (Polychaeta), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 63:1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., 1977b, The geographical distribution of interstitial polychaetes, in: The Meiofauna Species in Time and Space (W. Sterrer and P. Ax, eds.), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 61:287–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., 1981, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. XXVI. Questidae, Cirratulidae, Acrocirridae, Ctenodrilidae (Polychaeta), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 82:1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., 1987, The interstitial polychaete Hesionides pettiboneae n. sp. (Hesionidae) from the U.S. east coast and its transatlantic relationships, Bull. Biol. Soc. Wash. 7:131–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., and Rieger, R.M., 1987, Systematics of the amphiatlantic Microphthalmus listensis-species-group (Polychaeta: Hesionidae): Facts and concepts for reconstruction of phylogeny and speciation, Z. f. zool. Syst. Evolutionsforsch. 25:12–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westheide, W., and Schmidt, P., 1974, Interstitielle Fauna von Galapagos. VI., Aeolosoma maritimum dubiosum nov. ssp. (Annelida, Oligochaeta), Mikrofauna Meeresboden 28:1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodworth, W., McM, 1894, Reports on the dredging operations off the west coast of central America to the Galápagos, to the west coast of Mexico, and in the Golf of California, in charge of Alexander Agassiz, carried on by the U.S. Fish Commission steamer “Albatros” during 1891. IX. Report on the Turbellaria, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. (Harvard College) 25:49–52.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Systematic Zoology, Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, D-4500, Osnabrück, Federal Republic of Germany

    Wilfried Westheide

Authors
  1. Wilfried Westheide
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, USA

    Matthew J. James

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Westheide, W. (1991). The Meiofauna of the Galápagos. In: James, M.J. (eds) Galápagos Marine Invertebrates. Topics in Geobiology, vol 8. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0646-5_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0646-5_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-0648-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-0646-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation