Diversity and Seasonal Dynamics of Nematode Assemblages in the Marine Sponge Liosina paradoxa from Sandspit Mangroves, Pakistan

• Hina Jabeen ^[1] ; Seema Shafique ^[1] ; Zaib-un-Nisa Burhan ^[1] ; Munawwer Rasheed ^[1] ; Pirzada Jamal Ahmed Siddiqui ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Karachi

     University of Karachi

     Pakistán

     
• Localización: Thalassas: An international journal of marine sciences, ISSN 0212-5919, Vol. 42, Nº. 1, 2026
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Mangrove ecosystem provide structurally complex habitat that support diverse communities of flora and fauna. The present study reports the first record of seasonal variation in nematode species associated with the sponge Liosina paradoxa at four stations in the Sandspit mangrove region from Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 13 nematode species (341 individuals) from nine families were identified, with Paracanthonchus sp. being the most abundant. Nematode diversity and density were highest at Stations 1 and 2, and peaked during the pre-monsoon season. nMDS (non Multi-dimensional scaling) analysis revealed strong similarity between Stations 1–2 and 3–4. Two-way ANOVA showed significant individual and combine effect of season and stations on nematode species (p < 0.001). K-dominance curves further confirmed highest species abundance in the pre-monsoon period. Physicochemical parameters varied seasonally, with positive correlations between nematode abundance, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen. Diversity indices indicated maximal species richness during the pre-monsoon. This is the first record of Liosina paradoxa and its associated nematode assemblage from Karachi, Pakistan. The findings underscore the need for further research in the region to better understand the ecological roles of marine sponges, especially given the limited available data on their interactions with associated species in Pakistan