I would like to know the best sampling methodology to separate meiofaunal polychaetes from substrate. I have once sampled soft-bodied meiofauna by using magnesium chloride (MgCl2) as anesthetic, but I do not know if there is another similar substance to use. I would rather not use the "bubble and blot" methology as it is better to obtain organisms with hydrophobic cuticle.
I would also like to know if meiofaunal polychaetes are more abundant in some substrates than in others.
Magnesium chloride is the best method, and even better if you prepare the solution isotonic with the water of the samples. The substrate depends on the groups of meiofaunal annelids that you are aiming for. If you have more doubts, write me directly,
It also depends on whether the samples are live/fresh or fixed/preserved. Most meiofaunal reseachers use flotation with colloidal silica (Ludox) on preserved samples. There are a couple of references in my researchgate list which describe the method. That being said, if you are only looking to extract a few samples something like MgCl2 is easier to obtain.
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