Distribution Pattern of the Benthic Meiofaunal Community Along the Depth Gradient of the Western Indian Continental Margin, Including the OMZ and Abyssal Plain

The continental margin harbors a variety of habitats that support incredible biodiversity and the function their oceans' ecosystems. meiofauna is considered significant component benthic faunal community from polar to tropical regions. meiofaunal in deep Indian Ocean, especially along depth gradient, poorly investigated. present study aims explore structure gradients its associated environment western (WICM) abyssal plain eastern Arabian Sea. Sediment samples were collected seven different depths (111–3,918 m) WICM including oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) plain. A total 22 taxa (groups) encountered WICM. nematodes (85%) most dominant all depths, followed by copepods (11%), nauplii (5%), polychaetes (1.36%). Our results suggest (a) organic matter has accumulated OMZ sites; (b) high amount carbon did not influence density or biomass; (c) drivers community, low levels contributed lower diversity at 485 724 m depths; (d) relationship biomass with chloroplastic pigment equivalent (CPE) values indicates pelagic-benthic coupling. Copepods, nauplii, tanaidaceans, isopods, kinorhynchs, cumaceans affected low-oxygen conditions sites. Enhanced diversity, density, deeper sites (non-OMZ-D) was attributed increased abundance copepods, mostly concentrated on surface sediment (0–4 cm) triggered enhanced bottom-water freshness available food outside except 3,918 m. Therefore, showed pattern respect related environmental changes, Based this study, future extent these underestimated marine ecosystems must be priority understand functional consequences.