ИСТИНА

Meiobenthos was studied in two contrasting mangrove sites in Central Vietnam near NhaTrang city: in riverine mangrove and in oceanic fringe mangrove both dominated by Avicennia spp. and Rhizophora spp. Meiobenthos was represented by seven taxonomic groups: Nematoda, Copepoda: Harpacticoida, Oligochaeta, Turbellaria, Kinorhyncha, Tardigrada and Foraminifera: Allogromiida. Species diversity and community structure were described for free-living nematodes. Each site contains more than 50 species. The spatial distribution of species assemblages was tested in several spatial scales. The mangrove trees are the key factor in structuring the meiobenthic communities. The roles of different mangrove species in structuring of meiobenthic communities are discussed. The relative importance of alfa and beta diversity in overall species diversity was tested. Changes in nematodes community structure were described during the primary succession of artificial mangrove forest.