Feeding of a pelagic chaetognath,Sagitta nagae Alvariño in Suruga Bay,Central Japan

The feeding ofSagitta nagae, the most predominant chaetognath species in Suruga Bay, was studied. Specimens were collected with ORI-100 net (1.0 mm in mesh aperture) and MTD net (0.35 mm in mesh aperture) and were fixed with neutralized formalin. The main food organisms ofSagitta nagae were the copepods,Candacia bipinnata, Calanus pacificus andPareuchaeta russelli. The food-containing ratio (P/T, %) was higher at night and lower in the daytime. Here, P is the number ofSagitta containing food organisms in the gut and T is the total number ofSagitta examined. P/T was almost constant vertically in the upper 100 m layer. P/T was generally influenced neither by food density nor by the copepod numbers perSagitta in this study.Sagitta nagae took food throughout life. Food ingested bySagitta per day was calculated as 37.6% ofSagitta in dry weight.     

Size-differential feeding in Pinna nobilis L. (Mollusca: Bivalvia): Exploitation of detritus,phytoplankton and zooplankton

The endangered fan shell Pinna nobilis is a large bivalve mollusc (<120 cm shell length) endemic to the Mediterranean that lives one-third buried in soft substrata, generally in shallow coastal waters. We hypothesised that P. nobilis of different sizes would ingest different food sources, because small fan shells will inhale material from closer to the substratum than do large fan shells. We studied stomach contents and faeces of 18 fan shells, 6 small (mean 23.0 cm length), 6 medium-sized (mean 41.5 cm length) and 6 large (mean 62.7 cm length) living in a small area of a low-energy coastal detritic bottom characterised by mud, sand and macroalgae at Mali Ston Bay, Croatia. We found that all P. nobilis ingested copious quantities of undetermined detritus (probably at least 95% of ingested material), phytoplankton, micro and mesozooplankton and pollen grains. Large P. nobilis stomach contents showed a preponderance of water column calanoid copepods, while small fan shells had higher numbers of bivalve larvae. All fan shells took in high numbers of harpacticoid copepods that are benthonic, feeding on microbial communities of detritus and benthic vegetation. There was also a significant selection of phytoplankton species, some apparently occurring between inhalation and ingestion. The stomach contents of small P. nobilis had a higher organic matter content than either medium-sized or large fan shells; this indicated that small fan shells ingested detritus of higher organic content than did larger P. nobilis. As the faeces of all P. nobilis had similar organic matter content, this also indicates higher assimilation efficiencies in small fan shells. The demonstration of differential dietary selectivity by different sized animals has implications for future trophic studies of this endangered species. This study also provides the first demonstration of predation on zooplankton by P. nobilis.     

基于拓扑网络研究海州湾食物网结构与复杂性

针对食物网结构与复杂性的研究有助于深入解析食物网的功能、营养动力和能量转化过程。本文根据2011年3?12月在海州湾及其邻近海域进行的5个航次的渔业资源底拖网调查资料以及胃含物分析数据，基于11个拓扑网络指数，构建了海州湾拓扑网络，研究海州湾食物网的结构与复杂性。结果表明，本文分析的海州湾食物网物种数S为93，连接数L为1 021，每个物种的相互作用数量L/S为10.98，连接性L/S2为0.12；顶级物种、中间物种、基础物种的比例分别为29%、69%和2%；食物网的杂食性指数为87%，连接复杂性指数SC为22.20，特征路径长度ChPath为2.11，聚类系数CC为0.23。通过每个物种的相互作用数量和连接性的研究显示，L/S和L/S2的值都处在正常范围内，所以海州湾食物网的复杂性仍保持较高水平。通过物种比例、杂食性指数、连接复杂性指数、特征路径长度、聚类系数对食物网结构分析，发现海州湾食物网结构处于稳定状态，能够在一定程度上抵御外界环境的扰动，保证生态系统功能的正常运行。通过对海州湾食物网结构与复杂性的研究，将为今后海州湾食物网功能的深入研究以及海州湾渔业资源的科学管理提供重要依据。     

Sedimentation,suspension, and resuspension in Tasman Bay and Beatrix Bay,New Zealand,two contrasting coastal environments which thermally stratify in summer

Abstract

The influence of density stratification on sedimentation, suspension, and resuspension in Tasman Bay and Beatrix Bay, New Zealand, two contrasting coastal environments, was studied with specific reference to the implications for modelling aquaculture sustainability. Tasman Bay, an enhanced scallop (Pecten novaezelandiae Reeve) fishery, is a very large coastal indentation gently shelving to c. 20 m deep c. 10 km from shore and open to the Tasman Sea, whereas Beatrix Bay, an area of intense Greenshell? mussel (Perna canaliculus Gmelin) aquaculture, is a small (22 km² × 30–40 m deep) enclosed embayment off the side of the nearby Pelorus Sound. Sediment trap arrays were used to determine the vertical fluxes of suspended solids and the associated chlorophyll component. Benthic chambers were used to investigate sediment nutrient regeneration. In summer, salinity gradients in both bays are minimal or non‐existent because of low inputs of fresh water and density stratification is mainly controlled by water temperature. The data from mid summer exhibited different spatial distribution patterns for detritus and phytoplankton biomass (as indicated by chlorophyll) in these two very different bays, although they had similar turbulent environments. The density discontinuity at the thermocline had a strong influence on settling of phytoplankton. There was evidence of upwards entrainment of suspended paniculate matter into the upper water column from the thermocline in Beatrix Bay. Benthic resuspension was estimated to contribute up to 90% of the suspended solids caught in sediment traps near the sea floor in both bays. The trapping rate of phytoplankton was thought to be dependent on species dominance. Possible mechanisms of resuspension included turbulence in the benthic boundary layer, and high velocities below the thermocline associated with internal seiches. The presence of a mid water column chlorophyll maximum in Beatrix Bay is discussed in terms of nutrient and light regimes at the thermocline, and species composition. In Tasman Bay, the chlorophyll maximum was thought to be caused by resuspension of benthic microphytes and their subsequent confinement in a thin layer (2–4 m thick) of high turbulence between the thermocline and the seabed.     

Further studies on the feeding habits ofSagitta nagae alvariño in Suruga Bay,central Japan

The feeding ofSagitta nagae was analyzed in connection with food chains in the pelagic and near-bottom communities of Suruga Bay. The following results are obtained: (1)S. nagae feeds on dominant copepod species both in the free water (upper water layers) and the near-bottom habitats; (2)S. nagae did not show any food-size selection in the range of 0.2 to 1.2 mm in cephalothorax width and height of copepods; (3) Feeding activity ofS. nagae in the free water is highest at night, while in the near-bottom habitat the species feeds more actively during the day than at night; and (4)S. nagae migrates between the bottom and free water and plays an important role in shallow water by connecting the near-bottom community with the pelagic community.     

Life history ofEuphausia similis (crustacea,euphausiacea) in Sagami Bay,central Japan

The life history ofEuphausia similis G.O. Sars in Sagami Bay, central Japan, has been studied by examining the abundance, size distribution, and occurrence of each growing stage from egg to adult. Three cohorts were laid within the period from July 1979 to July 1980. Individuals of cohort I of 1980 were laid in November and December 1979, and matured and spawned in March and April of the following year. Those of cohort II of 1980 laid in January and February 1980 should mature in November and spawn after December, by analogy with cohort II of 1979. Cohort III of 1980 was laid in April 1980, but decreased in number in July. Cohort II was the dominant cohort in Sagami Bay throughout the period studied. From December 1979 to April 1980 when the mixing layer was present, many eggs ofE. similis were in the epipelagic zone. It is suggested that the spawning season ofE. similis roughly coincided with the season of active feeding, indicated by high fullness of stomachs in individuals. The production of juveniles and adults was about 1.33 mg C m^–2 day^–1, and the production to bio mass (P/B) ratio was estimated to be 4.78 between July 1979 and July 1980.     

Marine invasive aliens on South African shores: implications for community structure and tropillc functioning

Up to 12 marine mollusc and three crab species are thought to have been deliberately or accidentally introduced to South Africa. Of these, only the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the European shore crab Carcinus meanas have become invasive. M. galloprovincialis, probably introduced in the late 1970s, is already the dominant mussel throughout the Cape west coast. As a result, indigenous intertidal mussels Aulacomya ater have been largely displaced, mussel standing stock has increased and the upshore limit of mussel beds has become considerably elevated. Implications include competitive exclusion of large limpets but enhanced recruitment of juvenile limpets, increased habitat availability for mussel infauna, reduction of habitat for algal infauna and enhanced food availability for predators, particularly terrestrial species. C. maenas was first recorded from Table Bay Docks in 1983 and currently ranges from Camps Bay to Saldanha Bay. Although it is a voracious predator, it appears unable to colonize wave-swept shores, so is unlikely to displace indigenous crabs, or to severely impact prey species on the open coast. Valuable conservation areas and mariculture sites in sheltered lagoonal areas are, however, threatened by it.     

大亚湾西南海域尖笔帽螺2020年7月暴发期内的分布特征

尖笔帽螺是一种分布广泛的翼足类生物,在食物网与生物地球化学循环中起着重要作用。2020年7月,大亚湾出现高密度尖笔帽螺,给当地生态安全带来潜在风险。文章利用浮游生物成像仪（PlanktonScope）,以定点的方式对大亚湾西南海域的环境因子与尖笔帽螺密度进行采样,并对大亚湾高密度尖笔帽螺的分布特征进行研究。结果显示：在水平方向上,尖笔帽螺主要分布于西部湾口及长湾附近海域,其他海域分布相对较少;在垂向上,尖笔帽螺多分布于高温低盐的表层,低温高盐的下层水体分布较少;体长分布方面,湾口西部及其北侧海域尖笔帽螺体长较长,小辣甲西侧、北侧海域尖笔帽螺体长偏短,湾口中部海域体长远小于其他区域。通过分析结果发现,此次大亚湾湾内高密度尖笔帽螺存在随外海海流输入的可能;温盐分布结果表明,尖笔帽螺多出现在海水表层,其垂直分布可能也受海水分层及海流的影响。通过对尖笔帽螺分布特征的归纳与讨论,可以为后续该种生物的进一步溯源提供参考。     

Change in the microzooplankton community during decay of aHeterosigma akashiwo bloom

The temporal change in the microzooplankton community during the decay of a bloom ofHeterosigma akashiwo was investigated over a 10-day period in June–July 1991 at a site in western Hiroshima Bay, the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. The density ofH. akashiwo was at the order of 10⁴ cells·ml^–1 during the first 5 days, and decreased drastically when vertical mixing occurred.Heterosigma akashiwo cells disappeared after the eighth day. When the density ofH. akashiwo decreased suddenly, the density of microzooplankton increased rapidly. The increase in microzooplankton density was due to non-tintinnid ciliates. The species diversity of tintinnids was significantly higher in 1 and 2-m layers during the post-bloom period than during the bloom period. One species of tintinnid,Codonellopsis nipponica, was the most abundant in the bottom layer during the bloom period but decreased in abundance during the decay of the bloom. Populations of two species of hyaline tintinnids,Eutintinnus tubulosus andHelicostomella longa, were at low levels during the bloom period, and then developed suddenly after the bloom disappeared. It was demonstrated that the abundance and species composition of the ciliate community change dramatically during the decay of theHeterosigma bloom.     

Ecology of Diloma nov Aezelandiae at Portobello,New Zealand

Some aspects of the biology of Diloma (Fractarmilla) novaezelandiae (Anton) (= Zediloma subrostrata), a soft‐shore trochid gastropod, were investigated in Latham Bay, Portobello, South Island, New Zealand (45° 50’ 25” S, 170° 38’ 30” E). The distribution of D. novaezelandiae during September 1973 to June 1974 was recorded along three transects; pebble distribution, macroalgal cover, grain‐size distribution and organic carbon content in the sediment, range of water salinity, and length of time of exposure to air were also recorded along the transects.

The greatest population density of D. novaezelandiae occurred between 0.8 m and 1.4 m above Chart Datum. The trochid was found to prefer a hard substratum to a soft substratum, and there was a positive correlation of organic content of the sediment with density of D. novaezelandiae. As the population density decreased towards low water the individual shell size increased. Size: weight relationships were calculated and the results showed that dry flesh weight and dry shell weight were both proportional to the cube of the shell diameter.     

Cobalt content in the shallow sea sediments

Cobalt contained in the sediments from Maizuru Bay and Wakasa Bay was determined by the atomic absorption method. Cobalt content in the surface layer of the bottom sediments averaged 15.2 and 6.7g/g dry matter in Maizuru Bay and in Wakasa Bay, respectively. The vertical distribution of cobalt was almost uniform in the column of bottom sediments. Geographically, the cobalt content in sediments tended to be inverse proportion to the distance from the coast in Wakasa Bay. Considering the distribution of cobalt, it is reasonably concluded that cobalt is not a limiting factor to the production of vitamin B₁₂ by microorganisms in these regions.     

RFLP analysis of a mitochondrial gene,cytochrome oxidase I (COI) of three species of the genusCalyptogena around Japan

Phylogenetic relationship among three species of deep-sea vesicomyid bivalvesCalyptogena, i.e.,C. soyoae, C. solidissima, C. fausta and an undescribed species of the Iheya Ridge, Okinawa Trough was analyzed on the basis of the RFLP analysis of the fragment (about 1 kbp) of cytochrome oxidase I. Both the two populations ofC. soyoae (off Hatsushima and Okinoyama Bank, Sagami Bay) consisted of two haplotypes, which could be discriminated by only one restriction site (1.7% sequence divergence).Calyptogena of the Iheya Ridge could not be distinguished from one of the two haplotypes ofC. soyoae. Nucleotide substitution rates between species were calculated and dendrograms were constructed.     

Dietary separation between co-occurring copepods in a food-limited tropical coral reef of the Sanya Bay

Food differentiation among coexistent species in the field is important strategy for copepods to acquire materials and maintain population stabilization.In situ diet analysis of co-occurring six copepod species in coral waters of the Sanya Bay was conducted using a PCR protocol based on 18 S ribosomal gene.Various prey organisms were uncovered,including dinoflagellate,diatom,green algae and plant,protozoa and metazoan.All these spatially coexisting six species showed different dietary diversity,with the food niche breadth(B)ranging from 1.00(Temora turbinate in morning)to 10.68(Calanopia elliptica in night).While food overlap between all these copepods were low,with the average value of the diet niche overlap index being approximately 0.09.Even temporally co-existing species sampled from the same time point fed on different groups of prey items with the food overlap index of 0.04 to 0.07 in midday and night but 0 in morning.As the most important dominant copepod in the Sanya Bay,Subeucalanus subcrassus seems to be capable to regulate its feeding,by exhibiting a rhythm of herbivorous feeding in midday and carnivorous feeding in morning and night,to better coordinate with other competitors for utilization of food resources.For most copepods,none of the prey items belonged to the dominant phytoplankton in the ambient water,indicating that copepod can better their survival by widening the choice of potential food resources in food limited environment.The dietary separation observed here might be important strategy for copepod to maintain population stabilization and thriving in the Sanya coastal waters.     

Some aspects of the biology of the micronektonic fishCyclothone pallida andC. acclinidens (Pisces: Gonostomatidae) in Sagami Bay,Central Japan

Some aspects of the biology of the micronektonic fishesCyclothone pallida andC. acclinidens are described on the basis of samples taken during a series of 20 cruises from December 1982 to November 1985 at a fixed station near the center of Sagami Bay, Central Japan.C. pallida is a regular component of theCyclothone population in Sagami Bay, being found in more than 90% of the samples. On the other hand,C. acclinidens was encountered sporadically, being found in less than 25% of the samples. The depth range ofC. pallida is estimated to be about 400–1,000 m. It spawns mainly during the spring and summer in Sagami Bay.C. pallida releases about 1,000–3,000 eggs and may spawn several times during its life span. On the average, it reaches 18.5 mm standard length (SL) in one year, 24 mm SL in two years and 29.5 mm SL in three years during its subadult stage. Extrapolation of the growth curve suggests that males and females attain first sexual maturity in three to four years at 30–35 mm and five to six years at 40–45 mm SL, respectively.Cyclothone pallida is concluded to have a regular life cycle in Sagami Bay. It remains uncertain whether or notC. acclinidens reproduces in this area.     

Variability in the nutritional value of the major copepods in Cape Cod Bay (Massachusetts, USA) with implications for right whales

The North Atlantic right whale, a seriously endangered species, is found in Cape Cod Bay (Massachusetts, USA) during the winter and early spring. During their residency in these waters, these whales are frequently observed feeding. This study evaluated spatial and temporal changes in the chemical composition (carbon weight and C/N ratio) of the food resource targeted by the right whales in Cape Cod Bay. The three taxa measured (Centropages typicus, Pseudocalanus spp., and Calanus finmarchicus) had highly variable chemical compositions resulting from the different life strategies and from fluctuations in their surrounding environment. The impact of seasonal variability in the energy densities of the food resource of right whales was calculated and compared to the energetic requirements of these whales. Calculations indicated that differences in the nutritional content of the zooplankton prey in Cape Cod Bay could have a considerable effect on the nutrition available to the right whales. Therefore, it is likely that using more precise estimates of the energetic densities of the prey of right whales would lead to a re‐evaluation of the adequacy of the food resource available to these whales in the North Atlantic.     

Role of environment and hydrography in determining the picoplankton community structure of Sagami Bay,Japan

Seasonal variations in the picoplankton community were investigated from June 2002 to March 2004 within the photic zone of Sagami Bay, Japan. The study area was mostly dominated by coastal waters during the warm period (mixed layer water temperature ≥ 18°C). During the cold period (mixed layer water temperature ≤ 18°C), the water mass was characterized by low temperature and high saline waters indicative of the North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water (NPSTMW). Occasionally, a third type of water mass characterized by high temperature and low saline properties was observed, which could be evidence of the intrusion of warm Kuroshio waters. Synechococcus was the dominant picophytoplankton (5−28 × 10¹¹ cells m⁻²) followed by Prochlorococcus (1−5 × 10¹¹ cells m⁻²) and picoeukaryotes during the warm period. Heterotrophic bacteria dominated the picoplankton community throughout the year, especially in the warm period. During the Kuroshio Current advection, cyanobacterial abundance was high whereas that of picoeukaryotes and heterotrophic bacteria was low. During the cold period, homogeneously distributed, lower picophytoplankton cell densities were observed. The dominance of Synechococcus in the warm period reflects the importance of high temperature, low salinity and high Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) on its distribution. Cyanobacterial and heterotrophic bacterial abundance showed a positive correlation with temperature. Prochlorococcus and picoeukaryotes showed a positive correlation with nutrients. Picoeukaryotes were the major contributors to the picophytoplankton carbon biomass. The annual picophytoplankton contribution to the photosynthetic biomass was 32 ± 4%. These observations suggest that the environmental conditions, combined with the seasonal variability in the source of the water mass, determines the community structure of picoplankton, which contributes substantially to the phytoplankton biomass and can play a very important role in the food web dynamics of Sagami Bay.     

Influence ofNoctiluca's predation on theAcartia population in Ise Bay,central Japan

The influence ofNoctiluca's predation on theAcartia population in Ise Bay was examined by taking samples at 27 stations once a month from May to December, 1974.The copepod eggs were found inNoctiluca mainly in May and June. Considering from various spawning types of copepods, the eggs were presumed to beAcartia, the most numerous species of all copepods in the bay.Noctiluca was dominant plankton in May and June whenAcartia was abundantly distributed.Acartia eggs were found in 33.2–39.3% of individuals ofNoctiluca in May and June.Noctiluca was more frequently observed to contain one egg ofAcartia per individual. It was suggested that 55.0 eggs perAcartia female per day were eaten by theNoctiluca population in May wherease 3.5 eggs in June. It was deduced that 74% of the eggs produced byAcartia was preyed on byNoctiluca (about 5% in June). The predation byNoctiluca as well as that by the sand-eel must influence greatly to the production ofAcartia in the bay.     

Colonization of habitat islands in the deep sea: recruitment to glass sponge stalks

Biogenic structures in the deep sea often act as hard substratum 'islands’ for the attachment of encrusting fauna. At an abyssal station in the NE Pacific, stalks of hexactinellid sponges in the genus Hyalonema are habitat islands for species-rich epifaunal communities. An experimental study was conducted to (1) determine the colonization rates of artificial Hyalonema stalks, (2) compare the species composition and diversity of recruits to newly available substrata to that of the natural communities, and (3) examine the vertical distribution of recruits. Four sets of six artificial sponge stalks, constructed of Hyalonema spicules, were deployed at 4100 m depth for 3- to 5-month periods. There was no difference in net colonization or immigration rate among the four deployments. Colonization rates were similar to those reported for other deep-sea, hard substratum recruitment experiments. The taxa that recruited to the artificial stalks were a subset of the taxa found in natural communities. However, several taxa important in structuring natural communities did not recruit to the artificial stalks. The two taxa with the highest invasion rates, a calcareous foraminiferan (Cibicides lobatulus) and a serpulid polychaete (Bathyvermilia sp.), also were the two taxa with greatest relative abundance in natural communities. Vertical distributions of Cibicides and an agglutinated foraminiferan (Telammina sp.) were skewed towards the top of the artificial stalks, potentially because of active habitat selection. These results have several implications for natural Hyalonema stalk communities. Most importantly, species composition and abundance of individuals in the stalk communities appear to be maintained by frequent recruitment of a few common taxa and infrequent recruitment of many rare taxa. An argument is presented for temporal-mosaic maintenance of diversity in these deep-sea, hard substratum communities.     

大亚湾西部海域海地瓜的空间分布及其栖息环境分析

本研究于2020年1月（冬季）、3月（春季）、8月（夏季）和11月（秋季）对大亚湾西部海域的海地瓜（Acaudina molpadioides）空间分布和环境特征进行了调查研究,并结合室内养殖实验,分析了海地瓜的空间分布规律和栖息特性。结果表明：①海地瓜最高生物量达到170 g/m²,其栖息生境为粘土质粉砂和砂质粉砂,低温季节具有较高生物量。②主成分分析（principal component analysis, PCA）发现,有海地瓜分布的站位环境特征表现为较大的水深、盐度和溶解氧浓度,以及较低的水温、叶绿素a含量和较细的底质。③海地瓜的埋栖特征表现为口部向下、尾部朝上,以粘土质粉砂层下的黑色胶泥为食。④经组织切片观察,海地瓜体壁表层无管足,口部有15个触手。海地瓜体表运动器官缺乏,附着能力较弱。⑤主成分分析结果表明,大亚湾西部海域适宜海地瓜栖息的底质为粘土质粉砂,常出现在盐度较高、温度较低的深水区域。冬季和春季的调查数量高于其他季节,这需要进一步研究其生活史以明确其在不同时期内的生活习性。     

Characteristics of photosynthetic pigment composition ofGymnodinium mikimotoi Miyake etKominami exOda

Gymnodinium mikimotoi, a senior synonym ofGymnodinium nagasakiense often causes red tides in coastal waters of the western part of Japan. The photosynthetic pigment composition of two strains ofG. mikimotoi were analyzed by HPLC. They contain chlorophyllc ₃ which has not been reported from dinoflagellates. They also contain fucoxanthin, 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin and 19'-butanoyloxyfucoxanthin as major carotenoides, which are anomalous in dinoflagellates. The pigment composition ofG. mikimotoi is compared with that ofGyrodinium aureolum which occur in European waters and is thought as a conspecific species withG. mikimotoi by several authors.