The researchers studied different types of worms in Términos Lagoon to see how they are affected by the environment. They found that the number of worm species varied along the lagoon, with more species in the east than the west. Even though the two sides of the lagoon were similar overall, each station had different types of worms. The main factor causing differences in worm types was the change in species rather than the total number of worms. Salinity was the most important factor in determining the environment in the lagoon.