Reproductive traits of Euterpina acutifrons in a coastal area of Southeastern Brazil

We investigated the reproductive biology of the planktonic harpacticoid copepod Euterpina acutifrons, including morphometric data, egg production rates (EPR) and viability, and weight‐specific egg production. Experiments were carried out during 1 year in an inner‐shelf area off Ubatuba (SE Brazil), a site seasonally influenced by bottom intrusions of the relatively cold and nutrient‐rich South Atlantic Central Water (SACW). We hypothesized that E. acutifrons attain higher reproductive rates when SACW penetrates in this region. Live females were incubated individually in cell culture plates during two periods of 24 h each, under controlled temperature and light conditions. Euterpina acutifrons carried on average 16.9 ± 6.9 eggs·sac^?1, ranging between 10.8 ± 5.7 and 30.8 ± 7.4 eggs·sac^?1. Estimated EPRs ranged from 6.3 ± 3.4 to 13.6 ± 4.2 eggs·female^?1·day^?1, with mean weight‐specific egg production rates of 0.06 ± 0.04 and 0.17 ± 0.08 per day. Euterpina acutifrons was not directly influenced by SACW intrusions, but body length and clutch size were positively related to temperature and chlorophyll content. Egg hatching time was clearly dependent on water temperature, as a 2 °C increase resulted in a decrease of 15 h in egg hatching time. This shows that even a small variation in temperature may considerably affect E. acutifrons population dynamics. Reproductive traits of this pelagic harpacticoid seem, therefore, to be controlled by the trade‐offs between increased food supply and the metabolic demands at low temperatures associated with SACW bottom intrusions toward this coastal area.     

Seasonal variation in the community and size structure of nano- and microzooplankton in Gyeonggi Bay,Yellow Sea

To investigate the seasonal variation and community structure of nano- and microzooplankton in Gyeonggi Bay of the Yellow Sea, the abundance and carbon biomass of nano- and microzooplankton were evaluated at 10-day intervals from January 1997 to December 1999. Four major groups of nano- and microzooplankton communities were classified: heterotrophic ciliates, heterotrophic dinoflagellates (HDF), heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF), and copepod nauplii. The total carbon biomass of nano- and microzooplankton ranged from 10.2 to 168.8 μg C L⁻¹ and was highest during or after phytoplankton blooms. Nano- and microzooplankton communities were composed of heterotrophic ciliates (7.4–81.4%; average 41.7% of total biomass), HDF (0.1–70.3%; average 26.1% of total biomass), copepod nauplii (1.6–70.6%; average 20.7% of total biomass), and HNF (0.8–59.5%; average 11.5% of total biomass). The relative contribution of individual components in the nano- and microzooplankton communities appeared to differ by seasons. Ciliates accounted for the most major component of nano- and microzooplankton communities, except during summer and phytoplankton blooming seasons, whereas HDF were more dominant during the phytoplankton blooming seasons. The abundance and biomass of nano- and microzooplankton generally followed the seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton. The size and community distribution of nano- and microzooplankton was positively correlated with size-fractionated phytoplankton. The carbon requirement of microzooplankton ranged from 60 to 83% of daily primary production, and was relatively high when phytoplankton biomass was high. Therefore, our result suggests that the seasonal variation in the community and size composition of nano- and microzooplankton appears to be primarily governed by phytoplankton size and concentration as a food source, and their abundance may greatly affect trophic dynamics by controlling the seasonal abundance of phytoplankton.     

印度尼西亚北部苏拉维斯蓝碧海峡2012-2015年东南季风期间浮游植物的变化

2013年4月,2014年5月,2012年6月和2015年10月在印度尼西亚北部苏拉维斯蓝碧海峡（Lembeh Strait）进行了4个航次的海洋生态调查,研究了蓝碧海峡的浮游植物种类组成,以及浮游植物群落结构的季节变化及其驱动因子。四个航次的调查中记录了5类浮游植物和416个种（类）。调查区浮游植物密度平均为2348cells/L,硅藻和甲藻种类最多。蓝藻种类最少,但丰度很高。季风转换期的4月份和10月份浮游植物丰度总量较低,东南季风期间5月份和6月份的浮游植物丰度较高。除了束毛藻（Trichodesmium）之外,常见种是浮游硅藻。浮游植物的丰度和多样性的季节性变化明显。海链藻（Thalassionema）、拟菱形藻（Pseudo-nitzschia）和蓝藻类的束毛藻对群落的不相似性贡献最大。由于蓝碧海峡南部营养盐浓度较高,南部水域的硅藻和甲藻密度稍高于海峡北部。虽然,南北两个水体中蓝藻的分布趋于均匀,但蓝碧海峡南部也有较高密度。与雅加达湾以及中国的一些海湾相比,蓝碧海峡的浮游植物丰度相当低。分析表明,SE季风期间上升流营养盐是左右浮游植物丰度月变化的重要因素。蓝碧海峡浮游生态系原始,且接近天然本底,人类活动背景噪声低,能够清晰地响应大环境的变化,是研究浮游生态系统的理想区域。     

Plankton of lake Ototoa,a sand‐dune lake in Northern New Zealand

The seasonal cycles of abundance of the phytoplankton and zooplankton in Lake Ototoa, Northland, at 36° 31 S, 174° 14 E, are described. Concentrations of chlorophyll a were low (range 0.04–4.61 mg.m^‐3; mean 0.97 mg.m^‐3), and highest values were in winter. Phytoplankton densities were also low; an oligo‐trophic diatom‐desmid assemblage associated with Botryococcus, Dinobryon, and Svhaerocyslis was found.

The zooplankton was dominated by the calanoid copepod Calamoecia lucasi whose numbers remained fairly constant throughout the year, and the only other copepod found was the cyclopoid Mesocyclops leuckarti which was present in very low numbers. Bosmina meridionalis was the only limnetic cladoceran and was most abundant during autumn and spring. A number of rotifer species were also common.     

2001—2002年粤东柘林湾浮游动物的生态学研究

2001年4月-2002年4月,利用生态学方法对粤东柘林湾浮游动物进行的周年调查结果表明,粤东柘林湾浮游动物有桡足类34属60种,枝角类3属3种,及端足类、磷虾、糠虾、多毛类、毛颚类、被囊类、水母和各种浮游幼体虫.浮游动物的群落构成小型化趋势明显,因为体长不足0.6 mm的小型优势种强额拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus crassirostris)、短角长腹剑水蚤(Oithona brevicornis)和鸟喙尖头(氵蚤)(Penilia avirostris)在浮游动物总个体数中所占比例合计高达57.1 %.浮游动物的种类数、总个体数和生物量的平面分布模式大体相似,即湾外大于湾内,外侧大于内侧,东部大于西部.总个体数与生物量的周年变化曲线与水温的变化趋势非常相似,高峰位于高温季节的8-9月,低谷位于冬季2月.调查期间柘林湾浮游动物非常丰富,年均总个体数达15.8×103 ind/m3,生物量达227.8mg*dW/m3.在单一调查年度内,浮游动物丰度与水温、浮游植物细胞数呈显著正相关关系.在不同年份,浮游动物丰度与浮游植物密度则表现为负相关的趋势.     

Dynamics of the pelagic component of Namibian hake stocks

A study was undertaken to investigate the spatial, diurnal and interannual dynamics of the pelagic component of Namibian hake stocks. Data were derived from trawl surveys conducted on board the R.V. Dr Fridtjof Nansen during the period 1991–1999. In addition to trawl surveys, acoustic methods were applied concurrently to quantify fish biomass off the bottom (above the headline). The pelagic component of hake was variable in both time and space – it was denser in the north and at depths of 200–500 m. Pelagic densities also correlated well with the density of adult fish (≥30 cm) at the bottom, but not with that of young hake (>18 and <30 cm) at the bottom. Pelagic densities were lowest at midday and highest at night, early morning and late afternoon densities being intermediate between the two. Incorporation of acoustic methods allows for at least partial account to be taken of diurnal variation in determining catchability. The fraction of the biomass off the bottom was not the same each year, thus affecting assessment and management advice for the stock, even if the survey results are treated only as relative indices of abundance. More field studies are needed to investigate the size range and species of hake active in vertical migration.     

Relationships between water-column stratification,phytoplankton cell size and copepod fecundity in Long Island Sound and off central Chile

Changes in phytoplankton abundance and size brought on by changes in water-column stratification are shown to affect copepod fecundity. The response of copepods to changes in their food environment, as manifested by changes in rates of egg production, is compared for two different time-scales: seasonal-to-weekly in Long Island Sound, New York, and event-scale-to-daily off the coast of central Chile. The data sets discussed include a time-series of hydrographic and chlorophyll samples along with measurements of copepod egg production (made using an incubation technique) carried out each week in Long Island Sound during 1985 and a 25-day time-series of daily measurements of the same variables at a fixed station in the nearshore coastal upwelling zone off Concepción, Chile, in January 1986. Egg production was often low, suggesting food-limitation. Temporal variations in the fecundity of the copepods Temora longicornis and Acarlia tonsa in Long Island Sound did not follow changes in total phytoplankton biomass, but rather changes in the concentration of chlorophyll in the > 10 μm and > 20 μm size fractions. Off Chile, changes in fecundity of Calanus chilensis mirrored changes in both total phytoplankton biomass and the > 20 μm size fraction. This fact demonstrates that herbivorous copepods follow closely changes in their food environment and suggests that there is a close coupling between food quality of phytoplankton (in terms of particle size), ingestion and egg production by adult females.     

曹妃甸邻近海域浮游动物群落时空变化及其影响因素

根据2013年8月(夏季)和2014年5月(春季)在曹妃甸邻近海域的调查资料,研究了浮游动物群落的种类组成、丰度、生物量、优势种和多样性的时空变化特征,分析了其与环境因子的关系,并结合2004年调查资料对比分析了浮游动物丰度和优势种的变化特征及围填海的影响。结果表明,研究海域浮游动物共鉴定得到31种(类),以桡足类和浮游幼体为主,优势种主要包括双刺纺锤水蚤(Acartia bifilosa)、小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus)、拟长腹剑水蚤(Oithona similis)和桡足类幼体(Copepodid larva)等。春季的浮游动物丰度和生物量均高于夏季,多样性和均匀度指数均低于夏季。浮游动物丰度的空间分布主要受温度、叶绿素a(Chl-a)等环境因子影响,春季基本为近岸高、远岸低的空间分布规律,夏季则相反,基本为近岸低、远岸高的空间分布规律。与2004年相比,本次调查春季和夏季的浮游动物丰度明显下降,可能与浮游植物丰度及DIP浓度降低有关。春季,西侧、东侧海域的浮游动物丰度分别明显降低、升高,与围填海后营养盐重新分布促进了东侧海域浮游植物增殖有关。夏季则主要受河流输...     

Iron regeneration and organic iron(III)-binding ligand production during in situ zooplankton grazing experiment

To elucidate iron regeneration and organic iron(III)-binding ligand formation during microzooplankton and copepod grazing on phytoplankton, incubation experiments were conducted in the western subarctic Pacific. During 8 days of dark incubation of ambient water and that amended with plankton concentrate, dissolved iron and organic iron(III)-binding ligands accumulated, approximately proportionally to the decrease in chlorophyll a. The observed increases in dissolved iron concentration were much greater than those expected from the consumption of phytoplankton biomass and previously reported Fe:C value of cultured algal cells, suggesting resolution from colloidal or particulate iron adsorbed onto the algal cell surface. When copepods were added to the ambient water, organic iron(III)-binding ligands accumulated more rapidly than in the control receiving no copepod addition, although consumed phytoplankton biomass was comparable between the two treatments. Bioassay experiment using filtrates collected from the incubation experiment showed that organic ligands formed during microzooplankton grazing reduced the iron bioavailability to phytoplankton and suppressed their growth. Moreover, picoplankton Synechococcus sp. and Micromonas pusilla were more suppressed by the organic ligands than the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii. In conclusion, through microzooplankton and copepod grazing on phytoplankton, organic iron(III)-binding ligands as well as regenerated iron are released into the ambient seawater. Because the ligands lower iron bioavailability to phytoplankton through complexation and the degree of availability reduction varies among phytoplankton species, grazing by zooplankton can shift phytoplankton community structure in iron-limited waters.     

Structure of estuarine algocoenoses of the barents sea under the conditions of anomalous ice formation

The paper presents the results of studies of seasonal trends in the development of phytoplankton and algae inhabiting one-year ice under the conditions of anomalous hydrometeorological processes that cause freezing of the Kola Bay estuarine zone (Barents Sea). In the years of anomalous ice formation, no changes were observed in the species composition and quantitative characteristics of the plankton algocoenosis, as well as in the time of the phytoplankton vegetation. Meanwhile, it was found that the pelagic community reaches its maximal abundance and biomass later than under normal conditions. The data obtained suggest that, in selected years, the community of ice algae has not enough time to reach its maximal abundance, which is related to the rapid degradation of the ice cover at the beginning of the spring. Therefore, the representatives of the cryoflora proper do not contribute much to the total annual biomass of the phytoplankton of the estuarine pelagic ecosystem of Kola Bay.     

三门湾网采浮游植物季节变化及影响因素

于2015—2016年春(5月)、夏(8月)、秋(11月)和冬(1月)四个航次对三门湾18个站位进行拖网采集和理化因子测定,分析了三门湾浮游植物群落结构、优势种组成、时空分布和主要影响因素,并结合历史数据,分析了浮游植物群落结构的变化规律,探讨了其主要驱动因子。调查共检出浮游植物8门87属199种(含变种、变型和未定名种),其中硅藻51属149种,甲藻18属27种,绿藻、裸藻、隐藻、定鞭藻、金藻和蓝藻偶有检出。四季共检出优势种8属13种,其中琼氏圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus jonesianus)为全年优势种。浮游植物年均丰度为1632.04×10~4cell/m~3,其中春季最低(53.06×10~4cell/m~3),夏季最高(5548.91×10~4cell/m~3)。聚类和相似性分析结果表明,浮游植物群落季节变化和区域差异明显。典范对应分析表明,影响三门湾海域浮游植物群落的主要因子依次为温度、盐度、DIN和DSi。结合历史资料发现,三门湾浮游植物群落丰度总体呈增加趋势(排除20世纪80年代冬季赤潮影响),主要种类组成仍以硅、甲藻为主,赤潮藻及嗜氮性硅藻种类数及优势度均上升。此外,三门湾浮游植物由大型硅藻向链状硅藻演替。海域富营养化和水温上升可能是主要驱动因子。     

Copepod feeding in a coastal area of active tidal mixing: diel and monthly variations of grazing impacts on phytoplankton biomass

This study examined monthly feeding rates and grazing impact on phytoplankton biomass, as well as diel feeding rhythms of four key copepod species in a tidally well mixed estuary (Asan Bay, Korean Peninsula). Monthly ingestion rates estimated based on gut pigment analysis were closely associated with their peak densities, but not with phytoplankton biomass, implying high ingestion may be related to reproductive output for population growth. The three smaller copepods, Acartia hongi, Acartia pacifica and Paracalanus parvus, showed feeding preference for smaller phytoplankton (<20 μm) with higher clearance rates, whereas the larger Calanus sinicus preferred larger phytoplankton. Acartia pacifica and P. parvus showed distinct increased nocturnal feeding rates as measured with gut fluorescence, whereas A. hongi showed no significant day–night differences. Copepod diel feeding patterns were not associated with food quantity, and endogenous physiological rhythm might be hypothesized as responsible for the observed diel feeding patterns. Grazing impact on phytoplankton biomass by the four copepods in the estuary was on average 8% (range 0.2–29.8%) of the phytoplankton standing stock, similar to values reported in other coastal waters. Very high copepod abundances but low daily carbon ration (<20% for all copepods) provided by feeding on phytoplankton indicate that copepods also grazed on other non‐phytoplankton foods in Asan Bay.     

洋山港浮游桡足类群落的周年变化特征

研究了洋山港海域桡足类的周年生态特征。结果显示,洋山港桡足类的优势种为四刺窄腹剑水蚤(Limnoithona tetraspina)、太平洋纺锤水蚤(Acartia pacifica)、真刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera euchaeta)、针刺拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus aculeatus)、双毛纺锤水蚤(Acartia bifilosa)、小毛猛水蚤(Microsetellanorvegica)、瘦拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus gracilis)和小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus);桡足类丰度季节变化显著(F=2.11,P<0.05),春(28.44个/L±19.16个/L)>夏(18.60个/L±14.81个/L)>冬(10.98个/L±3.65个/L)>秋(10.57个/L±4.45个/L);生物量则为夏(12359.1 mg/L±18438.1 mg/L)>秋(7796.6 mg/L±1348.6 mg/L)>冬(2944.8 mg/L±1680.9 mg/L)>春(1401.0 mg/L±1057.3 mg/L)。桡足类丰度的周年变化呈现双峰型特征,生物量变化呈现单峰型特征。多变量分析显示,优势种的数量变化对洋山港桡足类群落丰度和生物量的季节变化起主要作用。小洋山码头受人类干扰严重,桡足类丰度和多样性与大洋山码头已出现差异,春、冬季小洋山码头的多样性指数(H′)高于大洋山码头,除秋季外,小洋山码头的均匀度指数(J)都高于大洋山码头。     

Abundance, distribution and patch formation of zooplankton

The goal of studies described here was to determine the responses of zooplankton taxa to phytoplankton patches which develop in and near intrusions of cold, nutrient-rich Gulf Stream water. To achieve this goal we determined the horizontal and vertical distributions of abundant mesozooplankton taxa on the south-eastern continental shelf of the USA between 29°30′ and 31°N. The study period was from June 23 to August 16, 1981. Highest concentrations of zooplankton usually occurred in and near patches of phytoplankton. Increased phytoplankton appeared to trigger the formation of patches of the calanoid copepod Temora turbinata and the cyclopoid copepods Oithona spp. and Oncaea spp. The patches of zooplankton had greater alongshore than cross-shelf dimensions. T. turbinata responded rapidly to increased concentrations of phytoplankton by reproducing and aggregating in and above intruded waters. Oithonidae which were often, but not always, abundant in phytoplankton patches eventually attained high concentrations over most of the middle and part of the inner shelf. Their concentration and that of Oncaeidae increased steadily. Oncaeidae were not abundant in recently upwelled waters, as was T. turbinata but reached high concentrations in older intrusions when the abundance of T. turbinata remained level or decreased slowly. Both cyclopoid taxa are thought to reproduce slowly (egg sacs) compared to T. turbinata. Another taxon, the doliolids, became abundant far more rapidly in intruded waters (by asexual reproduction) than did the other three taxa. Doliolids were the most opportunistic intrusion zooplankton form. They do not regularly occur in low abundance on the shelf, as do the three copepod taxa, but develop in pulses in regions where T. turbinata and Oncaea are not abundant. Of the four taxa studied the abundance of doliolids increased and decreased most rapidly, whereas Oithona and Oncaea increased slowly and did not decrease during the study period. T. turbinata and Oncaea were most abundant at 60% of all stations in the intruding water. Doliolids and Oithona on the other hand, were mostly in the thermocline and intrusion. Whereas phytoplankton patches, which developed in intrusions, were physically induced (PAFFENHÖFER and LEE, 1988), patches of zooplankton were biologically induced.     

粤西近岸海域浮游植物群落的生态特征

作者基于2011年9月(丰水期)和2012年1月(枯水期)粤西近岸30米以浅海域的调查资料,分析该海域浮游植物的种类组成、优势种、丰度及其群落结构多样性。结果表明,调查海域共鉴定浮游植物4门41属116种,硅藻为最主要优势类群。丰水期与枯水期共有种类40种,物种相似性指数为34.48%,表明2个调查季节种类组成变化较大,存在明显的季节性差异。枯水期优势种仅1种,为金藻门(Chrysophyta)的球形棕囊藻(Phaeoecystis globosa),优势度高达0.496;丰水期优势种有4种,其中以硅藻门的旋链角毛藻(Chaetoceros curvisetus)优势度较高(0.249)。浮游植物丰度表现出时间和空间异质性,丰度总体呈现近岸站位高于离岸站位,此外,丰水期浮游植物丰度湛江沿岸站位高于其他调查站位,枯水期浮游植物丰度则由西南部向东北部递减,总体而言,枯水期浮游植物丰度比丰水期高。群落结构多样性为枯水期西南部海域明显低于东北部海域,丰水期站位间多样性无明显变化规律,相比之下,丰水期群落物种多样性水平相对较高。相关分析表明:浮游植物丰度与p H、悬浮物呈正相关,与丰水期水温和枯水期盐度呈负相关。     

Relationship between phytoplankton composition and environmental factors in the surface waters of southern South China Sea in early summer of 2009

Horizontal distributions of phytoplankton abundance,species composition as well as environmental factors were investigated in the surface waters of southern South China Sea(SCS) in early summer(May 16 to June 7) of 2009.In most areas of southern SCS,the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus were very low and DIN/DIP ratios usually were lower than the Redfield N/P Ratio of 16:1.Nitrogen nutrients were significant lower in the upwelling region off Vietnam.A total of 144 taxa of phytoplankton were identified in the study area.The dominant genera were Prorocentrum,Gonyaulax,Gyrodinium,Scrippsiella and Chaetoceros,respectively.Spatial patterns of early-summer phytoplankton abundance and species composition should be mainly controlled by the upwelling off Vietnam and the discharge of Mekong River in the southern SCS.Diatoms dominated in the nutritious Mekong River Estuary or upwelling region off Vietnam;while dinoflagellates dominated in the oligotrophic pelagic region.The canonical correspondence analysis(CCA) indicates that most of diatoms favor higher levels of silicate and phosphorus,as well as lower temperature;while most of dinoflagellates favor the lower silicate and phosphorous and higher temperature.Correlation and CCA results indicate that silicate,nitrate and temperature were the most relevant environmental factors to regulate the horizontal pattern of early-summer phytoplankton in the surface waters of southern SCS.     

Seasonal variability of the zooplankton community in the southwest of the Huanghai Sea (Yellow Sea) Cold Water Mass

Samples were collected with a plankton net in the four seasonal cruises during 2006-2007 to study the seasonal variability of the zooplankton community in the southwest part of Huanghai Sea Cold Water Mass (HSCWM, Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass). The spatial and temporal variations of zooplankton species composition, biomass, abundance and biodiversity were examined. A total of 122 zooplankton species and 30 pelagic larvae were identified in the four cruises. Calanus sinicus and Aidanosagitta crassa were the most dominant species, and Themisto gaudichaudi and Euphausia pacifica were widely distributed in the HSCWM area. The spatial patterns of non-gelatinous zooplankton (removing the high water content groups) were similar to those of the total zooplankton biomass in autumn, but different significantly in the other three seasons. The seasonal means of zooplankton biomass in spring and summer were much higher than that in autumn and winter. The total zooplankton abundance averaged 283.5 ind./m~3 in spring (highest), 192.5 ind./m~3 in summer, 165.5 ind./m~3 in autumn and 65.9 ind./m~3 in winter (lowest), and the non-gelatinous groups contributed the most total abundance. Correlation analysis suggests that the non-gelatinous zooplankton biomass and abundance had a significant positive correlation in the whole year, but the relationship was insignificant between the total zooplankton biomass and abundance in spring and summer. The diversity index H of zooplankton community averaged 1.88 in this study, which was somewhat higher than historical results. Relatively low diversity in summer was related to the high dominance of Calanus sinicus, probably due to the strongest effect of the HSCWM in this season.     

Interannual and seasonal variation of the population structure,abundance, and biomass of the arctic copepod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calanus glacialis</Emphasis> in the White Sea

The results of multiyear observations of the seasonal and inter-annual variability of the population structure, abundance, and biomass of the arctic calanoids copepod Calanus glacialis in the White Sea are presented. The spring season represents the most crucial period for the population’s seasonal dynamics. During the spring, the maximal abundance, biomass, and contribution of C. glacialis to the total zooplankton biomass is observed. The interannual variability of the abundance is closely related to the timing of the spring warming of the upper water column and the respective shifts of the onset of reproduction and the offspring development. The development of a new generation to the overwintering copepodite stage IV is usually completed three to four weeks later in the cold years compared to the warm ones. Our multiyear observations suggest that C. glacialis could be more tolerant of Arctic warming than it is usually believed. The high abundance of the C. glacialis population in the White Sea indicates that this arctic species is able to cope with the seasonal surface warming and should continue to do so, being provided with the cold water “refuge” in the deep sea.     

Copepod grazing on phytoplankton in the Pacific sector of the Antarctic Polar Front

Mesozooplankton abundance, community structure and copepod grazing on phytoplankton were examined during the austral spring 1997 and summer 1998 as part of the US JGOFS project in the Pacific sector of the Antarctic polar front. Mesozooplankton abundance and biomass were highest at the polar front and south of the front. Biomass increased by 1.5–2-times during the course of the study. Calanoides acutus, Calanus propinquus, C. simillimus, Rhincalanus gigas and Neocalanus tonsus were the dominant large copepods found in the study. Oithona spp and pteropods were numerically important components of the zooplankton community. The copepod and juvenile krill community consumed 1–7% of the daily chlorophyll standing stock, equivalent to 3–21% of the daily phytoplankton production. There was an increased grazing pressure at night due to both increased gut pigment concentrations as well as increases in zooplankton numbers. Phytoplankton carbon contributed a significant fraction (>50%) of the dietary carbon for the copepods during spring and summer. The relative importance of phytoplankton carbon to the diet increased south of the polar front, suggested that grazing by copepods could be important to organic carbon and biogenic silica flux south of the polar front.     

Surface cyclopoid copepod assemblages in relation to environmental conditions near undisturbed coral reefs of Minicoy,southeastern Arabian Sea,a part of the Indian Ocean

The cruise conducted in the spring inter-monsoon (pre-monsoon) of April 2015 in the frame of a funded project epitomized an open ocean survey that allowed procuring a quasi-synoptic picture of cyclopoid copepod community structure in 18 open ocean stations of the Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep archipelago, off the southwestern Indian coast, based on the analysis of standing stock and composition in the integrated 0–10 m water column. The main objective was to explore the community structure of cyclopoid copepods prevailing here and which environmental variable influences the same. It is witnessed that sea surface temperature (SST) (30.42 ± 0.19°C), sea surface salinity (SSS) (33.56 ± 1.15 psu), and dissolved oxygen (DO) (4.32 ± 0.06 ml/L) with SSS and DO are the best matching variables diversifying cyclopoid copepod species (av. abundance 700 ± 386 no. of individuals/100 m³). Average zooplankton biomass (0.03 ml/m³) and abundance (8,989 ± 3,866 no. of individuals/100 m³) were also observed. Fifty-one cyclopoid copepod species belonging to four families and seven genera were identified, with the dominance of high saline species such as Sapphirina, Copilia, Farranula, and Oncaea. An abundance biomass curve (ABC) plot analysis indicated an undisturbed community with normal environmental conditions. TAXDTEST (taxonomic distinctness) depicted a diverse condition where all points clustered together within a 95% confidence level. Our results indicate that the cyclopoid copepod assemblage near Minicoy Island is a diverse, undisturbed community and hypothesize that the stable environmental conditions during pre-monsoon (spring inter-monsoon) preferred the diversification of cyclopoid copepods with the prevalence of high saline species. The data evolved could be used as a standard reference/benchmark to detect any deviation from an undisturbed/diverse community status of Minicoy Island in the looming scenario of climate change in and around the Indian Ocean.