During the last few years I have been working on various aspects of marine benthic ecology. Of special interest to me is the study of meiofauna, particularly nematodes. Most recently I have been investigating the trophic ecology of meiofauna in intertidal sediments using biological tracer techniques such as stable isotopes and fatty acids. I have spent time describing new nematode species from the rich yet largely unexplored New Zealand nematofauna using traditional methods as well as scanning electron microscopy. I have also been working aboard the research vessel Tangaroa as part of OS2020 Chatham-Challenger Biodiversity Project, which aims to describe the benthic fauna (including meio-, macro- and megafauna) on the Chatham Rise and Challenger Plateau.
Experience
I am familiar with many aspects of meiofauna work. This includes sampling in a variety of habitats (intertidal, subtidal and deep-sea), preservation of samples, extraction (e.g. Ludox), and mounting (community samples or single individuals). I can identify nematodes down to family, genus or species level (when descriptions are available!). I have also established and maintained marine nematode cultures in the laboratory. I have analysed copepods and nematodes for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes and fatty acid composition.
Publications / Presentations
Leduc D, Probert PK, Frew RD, Hurd CL (2006) Macroinvertebrate diet in intertidal seagrass and sandflat communities : a study using C, N, and S stable isotopes. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40: 615-629
Leduc D & Gwyther J (2007) Description of Setosabatieria portobellis sp. nov. (Chromadorida: Comesomatidae) and Metalinhomoeus courti sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Linhomoeidae) from intertidal seagrass sediments of Southern New Zealand. Zootaxa (in press)
New Zealand Marine Science Society Conference, Nelson, September 2006
Leduc D and Gwyther J
Oral Presentation : Nematode community structure and feeding ecology at Papanui Inlet
New Zealand Marine Science Society Conference, Dunedin, June 2004
Leduc D, Probert PK, Frew R, Hurd C
Poster : Contribution of the seagrass Zostera capricorni and benthic microalgae to the diet of macroinvertebrates : a study using multiple stable isotope analysis
Joint conference of the New Zealand Marine Science Society and the Australasian Society for Phycology and Aquatic Botany, Auckland, September 2003
Leduc D, Probert PK, Frew R, Hurd C
Presentation : The foodweb structure of seagrass communities : a study using multiple stable isotope ratio analysis
