Comparison of the Vertical Distribution of Nematodes from Two Contrasting Abyssal Sites in the Northeast Atlantic Subject to Different Seasonal Inputs of Phytodetritus

Abstract The vertical distribution of nematodes in the sediments of three cores from the phytodetritus‐influenced Porcupine Abyssal Plain station is compared with three cores from the Madeira Abyssal Plain station in the DEEPSEAS programme. Nematode vertical distributions are compared with sediment organic chemistry data sampled at the same time from the same sites. The results support the two hypotheses erected by Thiel (1983) that the penetration of meiofauna into deep‐sea sediments might be correlated with the input of organic matter and that a greater biological activity of larger organisms would increase the penetration of nematodes into the sediment through increase downward transport of food material.