Tintinnids and Other Microplankton from the Greenland Sea: Abundance and Distribution in the Marginal Ice Zone (MayJune 1989)

Abstract. Microplankton (silicoflagellates, dinoflagellates, tintinnids, pteropods, crustaceans, and fecal pellets) was analysed in 71 0–95 m samples from the Greenland Sea collected from May to June 1989. Abundances were clearly associated with the ice edge, highest concentrations occurring in ice-free waters. The 15 to 30 m stratum was generally richer in microplankton than deeper waters, with the exception of microcrustaceans, which often peaked below 30 m. Six tintinnid species were identified. The mean size of the tintinnid Parafavella denticulata from the Greenland Sea was consistently greater than that of Barents Sea specimens. It is suggested that colder waters and scarcer food are responsible for these morphometric differences.     

Nutrients, Chlorophyll a and Phytoplankton in the İskenderun Bay (Northeastern Mediterranean)

Abstract. The monthly changes in chlorophyll a , phytoplankton abundance and nutrient concentrations at two stations, one at the inshore and the other at the deep waters of the northern part of İskenderun Bay, were investigated between 1994 – 1995. The vertical distribution of nutrients and phytoplankton biomass were also studied at the deep station. The concentrations of NO₃+NO₂-N, PO₄-P and SiO₄-Si of surface water at both stations were 0.31 – 1.63 µg-at · l^-1, 0.08 – 0.60 µg-at · l^-1 and 0.50 – 2.7 µg-at · l^-1, respectively. The highest concentrations were measured at the inshore station and clear differences were found between the inshore and deep-water stations. Chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 0.17 to 2.78 µg · l^-1 and the highest value was measured in March. At the inshore station, which was affected by land run-off, phytoplankton abundance reached the highest value (21,308 cells · l^-1) in October 1995, with a marked dominance of Pseudonitzschia pungens (20,200 cells · l^-1). The nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations at the inshore station were higher than those at the deep station. One reason for this is the land-based nutrient input into the coastal area here. In spite of these effects, the bay is not eutrophicated because of circulation events in the northeastern Mediterranean.     

热带西太平洋砂壳纤毛虫的多样性

为了探明热带西太平洋海区砂壳纤毛虫的多样性、垂直分布及纬向变化,我们于2012年11-12月在该海区四个断面采集了0-200 m的水样。共检出砂壳纤毛虫39属124种,多数种类喜好生活在表层和次表层。砂壳纤毛虫种丰富度、丰度以及多样性指数的高值主要出现在比叶绿素浓度最大值稍浅的位置,与温度和叶绿素浓度显著正相关,与盐度和采样深度显著负相关。多数优势种与环境因子间的相关性不显著。热带西太平洋海区砂壳纤毛虫多样性极高,各站种丰富度在25-52之间。在从表层至75 m处的多数采样点香农指数均大于3。该海区砂壳纤毛虫冗余种的比例很高,占砂壳纤毛虫总种类数的87.90%,贡献了砂壳纤毛虫60.38%的丰度,表明热带西太平洋海区砂壳纤毛虫群落对饵料组成和摄食压力改变的应对能力很强,稳定性很高。     

Microzooplankton diversity: relationships of tintinnid ciliates with resources,competitors and predators from the Atlantic Coast of Morocco to the Eastern Mediterranean

We examined tintinnid (loricate ciliate microzooplankton) diversity using data from 11 stations between the Moroccan upwelling system and the oligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean. Taxonomic and morphological diversity of tintinnids was compared to phytoplankton distribution and size-structure, to the abundance of competitors in the form of oligotrich ciliates, and predators as copepods. Tintinnid taxonomic diversity was estimated as numbers of species and the Shannon Index, H′; morphological diversity was quantified by substituting size classes of lorica dimensions for species. Total chlorophyll was partitioned into micro-, nano- and pico-fractions using pigment data and a size-diversity was estimated by considering the 3 size classes as 3 species. Along a west-to-east gradient, average water column concentrations of most organism groups declined approximately an order of magnitude yielding tight correlations. However, tintinnid diversity, both taxonomic and morphological, increased from the Atlantic upwelling station into the western basin of the Mediterranean, and declined slightly towards the Eastern Mediterranean, paralleling shifts in the chlorophyll size-diversity estimate. Diversity varied with absolute or relative abundance of oligotrich or copepods, but different diversity metrics were significantly correlated only with phytoplankton size-diversity. We conclude that tintinnid diversity more closely reflects resource diversity than competitive interactions or predation.     

春季渤海不同区域砂壳纤毛虫的群落特征

As one of the important microzooplankton in marine pelagic habitats, tintinnids are classified as neritic genera,oceanic genera and cosmopolitan genera. Until now, we know little about the interaction between neritic and oceanic genera in continental shelves. Low species richness area was found in the mixing area between neritic and oceanic genera in the East China Sea. In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of tintinnid community throughout the entire Bohai Sea in May(spring) of 2014 to find out:(1) whether the tintinnid assembalges differed in the three major bays bordering this shallow inland sea;(2) whether there was low species richness area in the Bohai Sea. Three genera and 11 species attributed to neritic and cosmopolitan taxa were reported from this region. Tintinnid abundance averaged(81±216) ind./L(0–1 234 ind./L). Tintinnid community differed within the three major bays, with each characterized by different tintinnid taxa. Referring to the average abundance of three bays, tintinnids were most abundant in the Laizhou Bay((328±445) ind./L), and least abundant in the Liaodong Bay((34±57) ind./L). A low species richness area occurred in the central Bohai Sea(20–40 m isobaths), in some stations of which no tintinnid was recorded. Our study demonstrates that tintinnid community varied greatly over small spatial scales, and low species richness area was found in the mixing area between neritic and oceanic genera within this inland sea.     

Abundance,community composition,size distribution,and production rates of tintinnids in Narragansett Bay,Rhode Island

The abundance of tintinnid ciliates in lower Narragansett Bay was measured at weekly intervals over the period 1980–1982. Twenty-nine species representing nine genera ranged in abundance from 10¹ to 10⁵ tintinnids l⁻¹. Tintinnopsis was the most numerous genus in terms of numbers of species and individuals. Total abundance increased with water temperature above 6°C, and with nanoplankton chlorophyll a (<10 μm and <5 μm chl a) averaged over the water column. Exceptions occurred during blooms of phytoplankton previously demonstrated to be poor food for tintinnids (Olisthodiscus, Thalassiosira). Tintinnids aggregated near the bottom during periods of low nanoplankton chl a. Abundances and distributions were not correlated with particulate organic carbon. Seasonal changes in length and oral diameter of loricas of individual species were inversely related to temperature. Oral diameter was a more constant feature of lorica morphology than length. Seasonal patterns in the mean oral diameter of the lorica of all species reflected decreases in the oral diameter of individual species with increasing temperature, and changes from small to large species coincident with similar shifts in the size of phytoplankton. The production rate of tintinnids was 3·3 mgCl⁻¹ year⁻¹, equivalent to the ingestion of 26% of total annual net primary production and 52% of the estimated production of <10 μm phytoplankton.     

Comparing the distribution of ciliate plankton in inner and outer areas of a harbor divided by an artificial breakwater

The distribution of ciliate plankton was compared between inner and outer areas of a harbor divided by an artificial breakwater in Kuryongpo, on the eastern coast of Korea, from February 2001 to October 2003. Less dissolved oxygen and higher concentrations of nitrogenous nutrients and phosphate were observed in the inner area. The abundance of oligotrich ciliates peaked in February 2001, when nanoflagellates bloomed in the inner area. The photosynthetic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum showed differing population dynamics annually, with blooming peaks in October 2001 in the inner area and in February 2003 in the outer area. The tintinnid species Tintinnopsis beroidea and Helicostomella subulata were generally more abundant in the outer area. Total ciliates were significantly related to oligotrich abundance in the inner area, and to tintinnid abundances in the outer area. Ciliate distribution showed quantitative and qualitative differences between the inner and outer areas in connection with the distribution of other plankton communities: oligotrich ciliate abundance increased with nanoflagellate blooms; dominance of M. rubrum was consistent with blooming of micro-sized phytoplankton (diatoms and dinoflagellates); large-sized tintinnids concurred with small dinoflagellates; and ciliate abundances decreased with mesozooplankton increases. The results indicate that the breakwater induces eutrophication in the inner area and provides suitable conditions for nanoflagellate blooms, which serially trigger opportunistic increases in oligotrich ciliates.     

Multiannual trends in fronts and distribution of nutrients and chlorophyll in the southwestern Atlantic (30–62°S)

This paper presents the first data on the vertical distribution of chlorophyll and nutrients in the upper layers of the southern southwestern Atlantic and interprets it in relation to frontal systems and the general hydrographic features. The survey covered quasi-synoptically the area between 30 and 62°S, at the beginning of the austral summers of three consecutive years (1993 through 1995). Our results show a rather consistent oceanographic structure, with similar patterns of chlorophyll and nutrient distributions with latitude. Outstanding features present throughout the three seasons are two zones of high phytoplankton production, where chlorophyll concentrations of >1 μg/l seem to occur frequently. The first is the upper euphotic zone of the Brazil–Malvinas Confluence Zone between approximately 36 and 50°S. The second is centered on subsurface layers of the Antarctic Surface Water south of the Polar Front as far as 62°S. The rest of the area covered shows low chlorophyll concentrations (<0.4 μg/l), due either to nutrient limitation in the oligotrophic subtropical waters of the Brazil Current or to excessive turbulence and upper-layer instability in the energetic Malvinas Current. The occurrence of a permanent meander around 38°S coincided with the cyclonic retroflexion of the Malvinas Current, causing upwelling of deep water. The ecological implications of this eddy-induced upwelling are discussed.     

Polychaete Assemblages in the San José Gulf (Chubut, Argentina), in Relation to Abiotic and Biotic Factors

Abstract. The composition and distribution of the polychaete assemblages of the San José Gulf (Chubut, Argentina) are described in relation to environmental variables using indicator species (TWINSPAN) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The polychaetes were collected during a benthic cruise in October 1984. Sediments were collected at 110 sampling sites using a 0.25 m² van Veen bottom grab or by divers in near-shore areas and sieved with 1 mm mesh. A total of 73 polychaete taxa were collected and identified. Both analyses revealed the presence of four main assemblages distributed according to depth as well as bivalve and seaweed abundance gradients: ' Syllis-Eunice ' and ' Harmothoe-Eunice ' assemblages occurred at the same depths (0 –­ 185 m) and substrata (poorly sorted rock and coarse sand), but were separated by bivalve and seaweed abundance, wherby the highest abundances of bivalves and the minimum abundances of seaweeds corresponded to the ' Syllis-Eunice ' association. The ' Ninoe-Glycera ' and ' Aglaophamus- Fabriciinae indet. 6' assemblages also occurred at similar depths (0 – 60 m) and substrata (very well-sorted medium-fine sand), but differed in their composition of bivalves and seaweed abundances; the ' Aglaophamus- Fabriciinae indet. 6' association corresponded with minimum bivalve and maximum seaweed abundances.     

长江口2005年4个航次中大型砂壳纤毛虫的水平分布

研究了2005年4个季度用浅海Ⅲ型网在长江口40个站位采集的浮游生物样品,发现砂壳纤毛虫11种:Codonellopsis ostenfeldi,C.parva,Eutintinnus tenuis,Favella panamensis,Leprotintinnus nordqvisti,Leprotintinnus sp.,Tintinnopsis japonica,T. karajacensis,T. mortensenii,T. radix,T. schotti.Leprotintinnus sp.,最大丰度可达32 400个/m3,有的种的最大丰度不足200个/m3,如Codonellopsis parva,E. tenuis和T.mortensenii.冬季T.japonica主要分布于长江口外,Leprotintinnus sp.在春、夏、秋季都主要分布于长江口外,其他种的分布没有明显规律.在4个季度长江口内都没有发现砂壳纤毛虫.     

Tintinnid species as biological indicators for monitoring intrusion of the warm oceanic waters into Korean coastal waters

This study examined seasonal and annual occurrences of warm oceanic tintinnid species in southern Korea coastal waters. The indicative species of tintinnids was monitored using three approaches: monitoring from cruises traveling from the warm pool in the western North Pacific to the Korea Strait; biweekly or monthly monitoring in the Korea Strait; and daily monitoring in the nearshore water. Annual pulses of warm oceanic indicator species were regularly observed in the Korea Strait. In September 2008 recorded a maximum species number of warm water indicators, a representative species for warm oceanic waters, Climacocylis scalaroides was simultaneously detected in the nearshore water as well as the Korea Strait. The result indicates that the greater warm water extension into Korean coastal areas was in September 2008. Sharp declines in species diversity were observed in the transitional area between neritic and Kuroshio zone in East China Sea (ECS). Epiplocyloides reticulata, reported previously as a Kuroshio indicator, was considered an ECS indicator species, as it was undetected in the western North Pacific central zone but was found abundantly in the ECS. Tintinnid species can be used as biological indicators to detect the inflow of warm oceanic waters into Korean coastal waters.     

Predation by estuarine zooplankton on tintinnid ciliates

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the feeding performances of Uca zoeae and the estuarine copepods Acartia tonsa and Tortanus setacaudatus when these zooplankton preyed upon the co-occurring tintinnids Favella panamensis (length 265 μm) and Tintinnopsis tubulosa (length 148 μm). Predation by Favella on Tintinnopsis was also studied. Over the range of experimental prey densities used, Acartia ingested Tintinopsis at rates linearly related to prey density. Favella was ingested by Aractia at higher rates than was Tintinnopsis. Tortamus ingested Favella more readily than did Acartia, but Tortanus did not ingest Tintinnopsis. Uca ingested both Tintinnopsis and Favella while Tintinnopsis was also ingested by the larger tintinnid Favella. Comparisons of Acartia predation on tintinnids with published data on ingestion of nauplii and phytoplankton showed that when the phytoplankton are dominated by small (diameters < 10 μm) species, tintinnids in concentrations exceeding 10³ organisms 1^?1 can be important items in the diets of Acartia. At lower tintinnid concentrations or when algal species with diameters > 10 μm are present in significant concentrations, tintinnids merely supplement algae in the diet of Acartia. Generally, tintinnids are more important food items for Acartia than are comparably sized nauplii. Only at concentrations exceeding 10⁴ cop. m^?3 can Acartia depress tintinid population growth.     

Productivity of the benguella upwelling in the pleistocene: Evidence from benthic foraminifers

The taxonomic composition of the benthic foraminifers studied in 36 samples of Pleistocene sediments from DSDP Hole 362 drilled in Leg 40 of the D/V Glomar Challenger made it possible to divide the section into the lower and upper Pleistocene units. The variations in the relative proportions of the planktonic and benthic foraminifers and the abundance, diversity, and taxonomic composition of their benthic taxa imply that the Benguella Current in the Walvis Ridge area was located in the early Pleistocene westward of its present-day position, and the upwelling was more intense and its productivity was higher as compared with these parameters in the late Pleistocene. At the onset of the late Pleistocene, the Benguella Current occupied its present-day position with the intermediate waters ascending to the surface, which resulted in the decline of the upwelling’s productivity.     

The ecology and biogeography of tintinnid ciliates in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the tintinnids retrieved in surface and vertical (down to 1150 m ) samples in the Scotia, Weddell, Bransfield and Bellingshausen areas allow us to define three distinct zones: (A) the Scotia Sea, Bransfield Strait and oceanic waters of the northern-central Weddell Sea, dominated by Codonelopsis gaussi and Cymatocylis affinis/conmllaria; (B) shelf and mostly ice-covered areas of the southernmost Weddell Sea and the Bellingshausen Sea, characterized by Laackmanniella prolongata and Cymatocylis drygalskii; (C) Bransfield-Weddell waters around the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, where Codonellopsis balechi accounts for 80% of the tintinnids. These areas have (often significantly) different ice regimes, water-column depths, surface salinities, bulk planktonic settling volumes and microplanktonic concentrations. On the other hand, the composition of tintinnid assemblages is very similar on both sides of the Antarctic Peninsula. Causal interpretations for these heterogeneous distribution patterns and probable specific adaptations to the dissimilar environmental settings involved are analyzed.     

Spatial and temporal variability of microplankton and detritus, and their export to the shelf sediments in the upwelling area off Concepción, Chile (∼36°S), during 2002-2005

Seasonal variations in diversity and biomass of diatoms, tintinnids, and dinoflagellates and the contribution of microplankton and faecal material to the vertical flux of particulates were investigated at one time series station T (station 18) between 2002 and 2005 and at a grid of stations during November 2004 in the coastal and oceanic area off Concepción (36°S), Chile. The variations were analysed in relation to water column temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentration, offshore Ekman transport, and chlorophyll-a concentration. Abundance was estimated as cell numbers per litre and biomass in terms of biovolume and carbon units.A sharp decrease with depth was observed in the abundance of both phytoplankton and microzooplankton during the whole annual cycle; over 70% of their abundance was concentrated in the upper 10 m of the water column. Also, a clear seasonality in microplankton distribution was observed at station T, with maxima for diatoms, tintinnids, and dinoflagellates every summer (centred on January) from 2002 to 2005.On the grid of stations, the maximum integrated (0-50 m) micro-phytoplankton abundances (>1 × 10⁹ cells m⁻²) occurred at the coastal stations, an area directly influenced by upwelling. A similar spatial distribution was observed for the integrated (0-200 m) faecal carbon (with values up to 632 mg C m⁻²). Tintinnids were distributed in all the first 300 miles from the coast and dinoflagellates were more abundant in oceanic waters.At station T, the average POC export production (below 50 m depth) was 16.6% (SD = 17%; range 2-67%; n = 16). The biological-mediated fluxes of carbon between the upper productive layer and the sediments of the continental shelf off Concepción depend upon key groups of phytoplankton (Thalassiosira spp., Chaetoceros spp.) and zooplankton (euphausiids) through the export of either cells or faecal material, respectively.     

Vertical and horizontal distribution of coccolithophores in the Caribbean Sea

Coccolithophores are one of the major, living phytoplankton groups and play important roles in geochemical cycles and climate. They are a particularly dominant group in oligotrophic waters, yet a lot more needs to be learned about their horizontal and vertical distributions. Coccolithophores were collected at different photic depths from 15 stations across the Caribbean Sea during cruise 35/1 of the RV Meteor from April to May 1996. A total of 67 species was identified, with an average of 19 species per station. Coccolithophores were encountered at nearly all stations but abundances were fairly low (10²-10³ cells 1^-1). Coccolithophore assemblages in the four oceanographical provinces identified (Granada Basin waters, Atlantic surface waters, northern Caribbean waters, and Pedro Bank waters) differed in their species composition and abundances. Abundance peaks occurred near the surface and in the deeper photic zone (140-150 m) just below the deep chlorophyll-a maximum at the top of the nitrate nutricline.     

夏季南海北部沙壳纤毛虫种类组成及空间分布

2007年8月夏季中国科学院南海海洋研究所南海北部开放航次期间,在北纬18°-22°,东经107°-122°范围内使用＂实验三号＂科考船进行了水体中沙壳纤毛虫的采样研究,探讨了沙壳纤毛虫的空间分布和种类组成。在36个站位中共鉴定出24属44种沙壳纤毛虫,其中优势种为长形旋口虫Helicostomella longa和根突拟铃虫Tintinnopsis radix,沙壳纤毛虫丰度变化范围为0–2200cell/L,平均丰度为221cell/L,从沿岸向外海方向,沙壳纤毛虫种类和丰度逐渐减少,其中A1站丰度最高（2200cell/L）,种类数最多（10）。夏季南海北部沙壳纤毛虫丰度与叶绿素a呈显著正相关,而与温度相关性不明显。夏季南海北部的上升流和珠江冲淡水携带的营养盐刺激了浮游植物的生长,影响着南海北部沙壳纤毛虫的种类组成和空间分布。     

Difference of planktonic ciliate communities of the tropical West Pacific, the Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean

Ciliates are important components in planktonic food webs,but our understanding of their community structures in different oceanic water masses is limited.We report pelagic ciliate community characteristics in three seas:the tropical West Pacific,the Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean.Planktonic ciliate abundance had"bimodal-peak","surface-peak"and"DCM(deep chlorophyll a maximum layer)-peak"vertical distribution patterns in the tropical West Pacific,the Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean,respectively.The abundance proportion of tintinnid to total ciliate in the Bering Sea(42.6%)was higher than both the tropical West Pacific(7.8%)and the Arctic Ocean(2.0%).The abundance proportion of small aloricate ciliates(10–20μm size-fraction)in the tropical West Pacific was highest in these three seas.The Arctic Ocean had higher abundance proportion of tintinnids in larger LOD(lorica oral diameter)size-class.Proportion of redundant species increased from the Arctic Ocean to the tropical West Pacific.Our result provided useful data to further understand ecology roles of planktonic ciliates in different marine habitats.     

Diel vertical migration of medusae in the open Southern Adriatic Sea over a short time period (July 2003)

Diel vertical migration (DVM) of medusae was investigated at a fixed station in the oligotrophic Southern Adriatic Sea at several depths during summer (July) 2003. We hypothesized that medusan DVM is considerably influenced by environmental variables such as hydrographic features, light intensities, and potential prey densities. We used short-term repetitive sampling as an approach to detail these relationships. Of the 26 species collected, the highest abundance was in the layer between the thermocline (15 m) and 100 m depth, where Rhopalonema velatum predominated, reaching the maximum count of 93 individuals per 10 m³. Seven species were observed over a wide depth range: Solmissus albescens (15–1200 m), R. velatum (0–800 m), Persa incolorata (50–1200 m), Octophialucium funerarium (200–1200 m), Arctapodema australis (200–1200 m), Amphinema rubra (100–800 m), and Rhabdoon singulare (15–600). According to the medusan weighted mean depth (WMD) calculations, the longest DVMs were noted for the deep-sea species S. albescens , O. funerarium , and A. australis . The shallowest species, Aglaura hemistoma , was primarily non-migratory. Certain medusan assemblages were associated consistently with a particular depth layer characterized by a particular light intensity. The interplay of environmental factors and trophic relationships explains some of the features of medusan migratory patterns. These findings thus contribute to understanding the variables that determine patterns of medusan vertical migratory behavior.     

Latitudinal changes (6°S-20°N) of summer ciliate abundance and species compositions in surface waters from the Java Sea to the South China Sea

Ciliates play a curial role in energy transfer from pico-and nano-phytoplankton to mesozooplankton in marine ecosystems. In order to visualize their geographical distributions from the Java Sea to the South China Sea (6°S to 20°N), the authors investigated the ciliate abundance and species composition in surface waters during May 18 to 27 of 2010. The ciliate abundance decreased latitudinally from 3 080 ind./L (～6°S) to 40 ind./L (～3°N), and then increased to 1 180 ind./L (～16°N) at the end of the survey. A total of 22 ciliates belonging to 15 genera were identified with the tintinnids accounted for 50% (11 species); and the species number showed a same spatial change as the ciliate abundance. Moreover, the Strombidium occupied over 50% of total ciliate abundance in most stations and Mesodinium and Tintinnopsis contributed to about 18.7% and 11.4%, respectively. In particular, our results indicate that the geographical changes in ciliate abundance were positively regulated by larger nano-and micro-phytoplankton biomass, rather than smaller pico-phytoplankton in the investigated waters.