Biodiversity and distribution of soil nematodes in Mount Ararat, Turkey

Abstract

The diversity and distribution of soil nematodes were studied in Mount Ararat from the altitude of 1523 to 5000 m a.s.l., in habitats with different ecological characteristics. A total of 2,561 individuals were identified belonging to 31 families, 62 genera and 70 species. The nematode diversity (species richness) and the nematode abundance display recognisable patterns of altitudinal distribution as the number of species reaches a maximum at intermediate elevations, whereas the nematode abundance was significantly higher at the elevated altitudes. The nematode community associated with the marshland habitat was significantly different from those associated to the other four types of habitat.