Colonization of macroalgal deposits by estuarine nematodes through air and potential for rafting inside algal structures

Our study investigated nematode dispersal through air and potential for rafting by a various set up of field experiments conducted in the Western-Scheldt estuary. In experiment I, we assessed differences in relative abundance of nematodes colonizing algae in boxes on high poles through air by wind transport ("open boxes") and by exclusion of invertebrate vectors ("gauzed boxes"). In experiment II, we investigating the importance of nematode colonization through air ("air only") versus through air and tidal currents ("air+sea", lower boxes). In experiment III, we investigated the difference in relative abundances of nematodes inside and outside macroalgal structures of Fucus sp., namely floating bladders and receptacula; using qPCR for nematode Litiditis marina species on a cryptic level if present.