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The role of meiofauna in the marine ecosystem: evolutionary considerations
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The role of meiofauna in the marine ecosystem: evolutionary considerations

R.M. Warwick
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol.96(3), pp.229-241
2008
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Abstract

The meiobenthos are regarded as the first metazoans to appear on earth This paper considers some aspects of their role in the marine ecosystem over evolutionary time. It is speculatively suggested that they have had a profound influence on many structural and functional attributes of the marine ecosystem as we see it today, both in the benthic and pelagic realms. Certain features such as size spectra, the life-history characteristics of the macrobenthos, and the energetic balance between ecological compartments of the marine ecosystem are considered to result from evolution away from negative interactions with the meiobenthos.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#14 Life Below Water

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Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.2 Marine Biology
3.2.605 Benthic Biodiversity
Web Of Science research areas
Zoology
ESI research areas
Plant & Animal Science
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