Preliminary Characterization of Meiofaunal Biodiversity Within the Hypersaline Bahia Grande

Author

• Emily J. Kornblum, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

8-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Ocean, Coastal, and Earth Sciences

First Advisor

Erin E. Easton

Second Advisor

Carlos Cintra

Third Advisor

David Hicks

Abstract

The Bahia Grande is a bisected, tidally influenced, hypersaline inverse estuary located in Cameron County, Texas. Previous studies revealed the hypersaline nature and its effects on mega- and macrofaunal diversity, but meiofaunal evaluations have not been explored. To provide a preliminary characterization of the meiofaunal biodiversity, community metrics and abundance data were measured across 128 samples along with environmental factors along the top centimeter of sediment. Salinity, temperature, and depth all significantly differed by season and compartment, but sediment variables were not significant. Meiofaunal community similarity also significantly differed by season and compartment. Spring and fall were the seasons with the most differences. Absolute abundance was higher in the southern compartment, where there was more tidal influence and lower salinities; but species richness and evenness was higher in the northern compartment. Individual taxon differences, however, show that environmental variables were not determining factors, which seemed to suggest that community interactions could play a larger role in community structures.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Emily J. Kornblum. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3409025090

Recommended Citation

Kornblum, E. J. (2026). Preliminary Characterization of Meiofaunal Biodiversity Within the Hypersaline Bahia Grande [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/2083