Population succession and feeding of scyphomedusae, Aurelia aurita, in a eutrophic tropical lagoon in Taiwan

Seasonal dynamics and feeding of scyphomedusae, Aurelia aurita, were investigated monthly from 1999 to 2002 in relation to environmental conditions in Tapong Bay, a eutrophic tropical lagoon in southwestern Taiwan. Medusae appeared throughout the year but exhibited seasonal dynamics that were correlated with hydrographic features in the bay. Most ephyrae of A. aurita occurred mainly in the lower flushed and eutrophic inner bay, and during the cold, dry season between November and February. They grew to young medusae with a maximum abundance in spring (March–May), but their numbers abruptly decreased during the warm and rainy summer season in June–September. The remaining medusae then grew rapidly to a maximal size of 29 cm. Mature females spawned in the following autumn when precipitation decreased but zooplankton food was still abundant. These mature individuals decreased in size after spawning and in winter. Gut content analysis revealed that A. aurita fed mainly on copepods and copepod nauplii and less on bivalve larvae and fish eggs. Prey selectivity indices indicated that larger medusae selected positively for copepods while small size medusae preferred copepod nauplii. The overall feeding effect of A. aurita on the standing stock of zooplankton was significant (27%) in the bay. Our results suggest that tidal flow and dense oyster culture pens were the two most important factors influencing the spatial distribution pattern of A. aurita in the bay, while precipitation affected the population abundance seasonally; decreasing water temperature coincided with the mass release of ephyra in late autumn and winter.     

Predation by jellyfish on large and emergent zooplankton: Implications for benthic–pelagic coupling

Stable carbon isotopes were used to determine the contribution of emergent demersal zooplankton to the diet of the scyphozoan jellyfish Catostylus mosaicus at Smiths Lake, New South Wales, Australia. A preliminary study in 2004 indicated that there was no difference in the δ¹³C of ectodermal tissue and mesoglea of the medusae. In 2005, medusae and zooplankton present during the day and night were sampled and isotopic signatures were modelled using IsoSource. Modelling indicated that: (1) mollusc veligers and copepods sampled during the day contributed <13% of the carbon to the jellyfish; (2) copepods sampled at night contributed up to 25%; and (3) the large, emergent decapod Lucifer sp. contributed 88–94%. We hypothesised, therefore, that medusae derive most of their carbon from emergent species of zooplankton. In 2006, sampling done in 2005 was repeated three times over a period of 4 weeks to measure short-term temporal variation in isotopic signatures of medusae and zooplankton, and emergent demersal zooplankton was specifically sampled using emergence traps. Short-term temporal variation in isotopic signatures was observed for some taxa, however, actual variations were small (<1.5‰) and the values of medusae and zooplankton remained consistent relative to each other. IsoSource modelling revealed that mysid shrimp and emergent copepods together contributed 79–100% of the carbon to the jellyfish, and that the maximum possible contribution of daytime copepods and molluscs was only 22%. Jellyfish apparently derive most of their carbon from emergent zooplankton and by capturing small numbers of relatively large taxa, such as Lucifer sp. or mysid shrimp. Small but abundantly captured zooplankton (such as mollusc veligers) contribute only minor amounts of carbon. Jellyfish have a major role in the transfer of carbon between benthic and pelagic food webs in coastal systems.     

Does the zooplankton prey availability limit the larval habitats of pike in the Baltic Sea?

The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate whether the availability of suitable zooplankton prey limits the distribution of the coastal larval areas of pike (Esox lucius) in two archipelago areas of the northern Baltic Sea and (2) compare the availability of zooplankton prey in spring between different types of coastal littoral habitat. According to the results, reed belt habitats formed by Phragmites australis constitute hot spots for zooplankton prey in the coastal ecosystem. During the spring, reed-covered shores of the inner archipelago maintained more than 10 times higher densities of copepods and cladocerans, the preferred prey for larval pike, compared to the other studied shores. Temperature conditions were also most favourable in the reed belt habitat. Thus, the reed belts of the inner and middle archipelago were shown to form the best habitat for larval pike in the coastal area of the northern Baltic Sea, and this was also the only habitat where pike larvae were found. Our results suggest that the poor survival and recruitment of pike in the outer archipelago, however, cannot exclusively be explained by sub-optimal feeding conditions of the larvae. There are also other important factors, presumably connected to the exposure to the open sea, that affect the distribution of the pike larvae. Our results, however, highlight the importance of sheltered coastal reed belt shores as reproduction habitat for spring-spawning fish in the northern Baltic Sea. Further, this study disproves the assumption that the seaweed bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) forms a reproduction habitat for pike in the coastal area.     

春季我国不同纬度河口浮游动物群落变化趋势

根据2010-2012年春季由南向北河口海域:北仑河口、九龙江口、瓯江口、长江口和灌河口的浮游动物调查资料;通过比较不同纬度河口浮游动物群落的生物多样性指数（H'）、物种更替率（R）和群落相似系数（S）;探讨了河口浮游动物群落特征沿着不同纬度变化的趋势。结果表明;自南向北5个河口可以划分为3个不同的浮游动物区系。北仑河口和九龙江口为南部亚热带区系;位于亚热带海域;以亚热带种为主;H'分别为1.01和2.18;两河口之间R值为65.52%;S值为51.28%;瓯江口和长江口为中部过渡区系;位于亚热带和温带过渡海域;亚热带种和暖温带种是主要出现的种类;H'分别为1.31和1.86;两河口之间R值为58.33%;S值为58.82%;灌河口单独为北部温带区系;位于温带海域;暖温带种是主要出现的种类;H'值为1.19;与其余河口物种更替率均高于80.00%;群落相似系数均低于32.00%;表明群落结构由南到北的变化非常显著。线性回归结果表明:我国不同河口之间浮游动物的物种更替率与纬度差（两河口所处纬度的差值;δN）呈正相关关系（R=0.026ΔN+0.608;p=0.002）;群落相似系数与纬度差呈负相关关系（S=0.034ΔN+0.578;p=0.001）。春季;我国不同纬度河口浮游动物群落结构的变化;主要是因为影响各河口的水温和水团存在较大差别所致。     

Reproductive and growth strategies of Idotea balthica basteri (Pallas, 1772) population in the Bizerte lagoon (Tunisia,Southern Mediterranean)

We analysed several life history traits of the marine isopod Idotea balthica basteri (Pallas, 1772) from the Bizerte lagoon, Southern Mediterranean Sea. Growth was continuous throughout the life of the animal with a high growth rate in the first life phase, and the growth curve was described according to von Bertalanffy's model. The lowest growth rate (0.23 mm) was recorded in winter (December, January and February) and the maximum rate (2.31 mm) between April and June. The total number of hatched eggs or embryos was positively correlated with the body length of ovigerous females. This population of I. balthica basteri was iteroparous, showing distinct strategies of reproduction. Large ovigerous females with high fecundity were collected during the whole sampling period, while breeding in smaller females with low fecundity was restricted to the period from late spring to early autumn, Manca size increased significantly with increasing female body size and there was also a significant trade‐off between manca size and the number of eggs per brood. Reproductive allocation, ranging between 17.1 ± 1.2% in winter and 23.2 ± 1.8% in summer, was positively correlated with female weight. Accordingly, parental investment in producing a juvenile varied between 1.02% per manca in winter to 3.38% in spring. Evaluated traits show that late summer and autumn cohorts have a K‐strategy, whereas cohorts born in winter and spring, and which exhibit a shorter life time, exhibit faster development, earlier reproduction and a smaller parental investment tending towards an r‐selected strategy.     

Reproductive biology and seasonality of the Indo-Australasian mysid Mesopodopsis orientalis (Crustacea: Mysida) in a tropical mangrove estuary,Malaysia

A year-round survey of the tropical shallow-water mysid Mesopodopsis orientalis (Tattersall, 1908) (Crustacea, Mysidacea) was conducted in the Merbok mangrove estuary, northwestern Peninsular Malaysia. The mysid formed dense aggregations at the river's edge close to the mangrove forest during the daytime, but very few were captured elsewhere in the estuary system. The sampled population was found in a wide range of salinities from 16 to 32, demonstrating broad euryhalinity, and the number of the catch at the littoral zone ranged from 11.8 to 2273 ind m⁻². The overall annual mean was 709.2 ind m⁻². Females predominated over males in the entire population, and brooding females were present at every monthly sample, indicating that reproduction is continuous year round. The clutch size positively correlated with female body length. The diameter of eggs (Stage I embryos) was unaffected by the seasonality and independent of the maternal size within an observed size range. The life history pattern of the estuarine population of M. orientalis showed close similarity to that of the coastal counterpart. However, the former was found to produce fewer but larger eggs, and the specimens in this population were larger than those in the coastal population at the embryo, juvenile, and adult stages. This evidence indicates that the life history features of the estuarine population would differ to some degree from those of the coastal counterpart.     

中国黄海海域繁茂膜海绵生长生殖周期的组织学特征

利用组织学和超微结构方法,对大连黄海海域的繁茂膜海绵(Hymeniacidonsp.)在自然海域的生长和生殖过程的组织学特征进行了近2a的观察。结果表明:繁茂膜海绵的生长呈现周期性变化,分为4个阶段:复苏期(3～5月)、生长旺盛期(6～8月)、衰退期(9～11月)和冬眠期(12月—次年2月)。繁茂膜海绵可以通过有性生殖进行繁殖,显著生殖期为8～10月,期间可以观察到卵细胞、精细胞囊、胚胎和幼虫。研究结果为深入研究繁茂膜海绵自然生长生殖特点,进而实现海绵组织块的继代培养和人工育种提供实验依据。     

水母伞径和饵料密度对海月水母(Aurelia sp.1)捕食率的影响

海月水母在全球范围内大量暴发,严重危害海洋生态系统的健康以及鱼类资源的可持续利用。本文以卤虫无节幼体为饵料,初步研究了水母伞径和饵料密度对海月水母个体捕食率的影响以及海月水母的昼夜捕食节律。研究结果表明,海月水母的伞径对其捕食率的影响极显著(P<0.01),在1—8cm范围内,随着伞径的增加个体捕食率线性增加,两者之间的关系式为y=0.044x+0.125(R2=0.9036)。饵料密度对海月水母捕食率的影响显著(P<0.05),在0.25—26.11mgC/L范围内,随饵料密度的增加个体捕食率呈线性增加趋势,关系式为y=0.508x(R2=0.958)。在饵料充足时,海月水母没有昼夜捕食节律。在高饵料密度下海月水母出现过剩捕食,但是捕食行为依然活跃。上述结果既为量化评估海月水母对浮游动物群体的捕食压力提供了基础参数,同时水母过剩捕食行为说明依据生物量和代谢率的推算结果可能低估自然海域水母队浮游动物的捕食压力。     

夏季闽江口和椒江口浮游动物群落结构的比较

根据2008年9月在闽江口水域和2010年8月在椒江口水域的调查资料,对两个河口浮游动物的种类组成、生态类群、优势种和生态适应差异进行分析比较,探讨夏季闽江口海域和椒江口海域浮游动物群落结构的区别及其组成受水团变化的影响。研究结果表明:夏季,椒江口受上升流的影响出现13个暖温带种,导致椒江口(44)水域浮游动物种类数要大于闽江口(36);闽江口海域夏季主要受到台湾暖流的影响,6个优势种全部为亚热带种,椒江口有7个优势种,包括4个亚热带种和3个暖温带种;从适温性上看,闽江口和椒江口均主要以亚热带种为主,椒江口由于上升流的原因出现较多数量的暖温带种,从适盐性上看,椒江口主要以近海种为主,闽江口主要以外海种为主,这是闽江口和椒江口浮游动物生态类群的主要差异;闽江口浮游动物群落结构主要受到台湾暖流和沿岸流的影响,而椒江口主要受到浙江近海上升流和沿岸流的影响,通过对两个河口群落结构的比较和生态适应差异的分析,表明水团是各自浮游动物群落结构的形成过程中的一个重要因素。     

Polyp Removal of a Bloom Forming Jellyfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aurelia coerulea</Emphasis>, in Korean Waters and Its Value Evaluation

Aurelia coerulea is a bloom forming jellyfish that first appeared before 1980 in the western and southern Korean seas and which has been blamed for huge economical losses in all fields of marine activities. As a preventive measure to reduce economical losses, polyp removal was undertaken at Lake Shihwa, Lake Saemangeum, and Masan Bay, Korea. In the course of efforts during 2 years to remove polyps, polyps were surveyed, quantified, and removed. In these areas, the initial total polyp abundance was 5.04 × 10⁹ and 46.25% of them were removed; Lake Shihwa the highest rates of removal and Lake Saemangeum the lowest. These efforts to remove polyps prevented the appearance of 1.20 × 10⁹ medusae, corresponding to 78.28 × 10⁶ kg. The cost of polyp removal was evaluated and compared with that of medusae removal. The ratio between the cost of polyp removal and that of medusae removal ranged between 0.78–3.14%, indicating large cost savings for polyp removal undertakings. However, the effect of polyp removal varied from positive to none, and we assumed that the cleared surface for polyp removal, quantity of removed polyp, and existence of polyps’ hotspots in neighboring areas were the causes of the non-effectiveness of polyp removal undertakings.     

Environmental responses of jellyfish polyps as drivers of medusa populations off the coast of Namibia

Jellyfish populations in the southeastern Atlantic off the coast of Namibia have increased subsequent to the decline of small pelagic fisheries at the end of the 1960s, although the environment there has also become warmer and the waters off Walvis Bay have become richer in zooplankton in recent years. Laboratory experiments were conducted with the scyphozoan jellyfish Chrysaora fulgida to investigate the effects of food density (0, 30, 70, 100 or 150 Artemia nauplii 200 ml^?1), feeding frequency (once daily or once every third day) and water temperature (12, 16 or 20 °C) on the asexual reproduction, growth and development of polyps. The results of a generalised linear mixed-effects model reveal that all variables impacted asexual reproduction, with greater polyp production attained at higher food concentrations, increased feeding frequencies and increased temperatures. The most common mode of asexual reproduction was by lateral budding. These laboratory results suggest that polyps of C. fulgida may have proliferated off Namibia in recent times, which would contribute to increased numbers of jellyfish there.     

Seasonal and vertical distribution of Aurelia aurita polyps on a pylon in the innermost part of Tokyo Bay

Natural aggregations of Aurelia aurita polyps were found by direct observation during SCUBA diving on the surface of a pylon in the innermost part of Tokyo Bay, Japan, and changes in polyp abundance with depth were examined from November 2000 to December 2001. Most polyps were observed on substrates in the layer within 1 m from the bottom. Substrates in the upper layer were mainly occupied by other sessile organisms such as the blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, implying that A. aurita polyps may be exposed to interspecific competition for space with other organisms, especially during spring and summer. The bottom layer, especially within 1 m from the bottom, was characterized by summer hypoxia and low recruitment and growth of other sessile organisms such as mussels, resulting in abundant settlement and high survival of A. aurita polyps, which are tolerant of near-hypoxic conditions. It is considered that the occurrence of hypoxic waters due to eutrophication contributes directly to the recruitment of polyps and the consequent production of A. aurita medusae in the following year.     

The relationship among environmental variables,jellyfish and non‐gelatinous zooplankton: A case study in the north of the Gulf of Oman

Processes underlying the temporal and spatial variations observed in the distribution of jellyfish and non‐gelatinous zooplankton in the Gulf of Oman are not well understood. This information gap is clearly a major issue in controlling the harmful blooms of jellyfish and non‐gelatinous zooplankton. Samples of jellyfish and non‐gelatinous zooplankton were collected from six stations in Chabahar Bay and three stations in Pozm Bay within four seasons. At each station, environmental variables were also recorded from bottom and surface water. A total of 83 individuals of medusae representing four species of Scyphozoa (i.e., Cyanea nozakii, Chrysaora sp., Pelagia noctiluca, Catostylus tagi) and species of Hydrozoa (i.e., Diphyes sp., Rhacostoma sp., Aequorea spp.) were observed in the study area. A total of 70,727.25 individuals/m^?3 of non‐gelatinous zooplankton dominated by copepods and cladocerans were collected in nine stations within the four seasons. The results of a RELATE analysis yielded no significant association between species composition for jellyfish and non‐gelatinous zooplankton. Among environmental variables, water transparency, nitrite concentration, water depth and temperature were better associated with the total variation in jellyfish species composition than with that of non‐gelatinous zooplankton. Dissolved oxygen, pH, and phosphate concentration were significant environmental variables associated with the variation in the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of non‐gelatinous zooplankton assemblages. Although some jellyfish species (i.e., Rhacostoma sp., Pelagia noctiluca, Catostylus tagi) occur independently of non‐gelatinous zooplankton assemblages, other jellyfish (i.e., Chrysaora sp., Aequorea spp., Cyanea nozakii, Diphyes sp.) are strongly correlated with non‐gelatinous zooplankton assemblages.     

Biometric,microstructural, and high-resolution trace element studies in Crassostrea gigas of Cantabria (Bay of Biscay,Spain): Anthropogenic and seasonal influences

Living Crassostrea gigas oysters of different ages and sizes were collected in three estuaries of Cantabria (Bay of Biscay, Spain): San Vicente de la Barquera Estuary, Santander Bay, and Marismas de Santoña Estuary. The main objective was to determine different shell responses to variable environmental parameters. A shell morphological study, based on three biometric indices, indicates that oysters of Santander Bay have two significant shell anomalies: abnormal thickening of the right valve and loss of vital cavity volume. These shell abnormalities are related with the presence in these waters of the chemical tributyltin. In the other two estuaries, the oysters show no detectable anomalies. Four shell microstructures have been distinguished: Regular Simple Prismatic, Regular Foliated, cone-Complex Cross Foliated, and Chalk. In Santander Bay oysters, the Chalk forms a “root-type” framework, whereas in the other two estuaries it forms a more compact microstructure. It is proposed that exposure to tributyltin has produced this modification. High-spatial-resolution geochemical transects have been carried out on the Regular Foliated microstructure in the umbo region in order to evaluate the distribution of Mg, Sr, and Na. The elements analysed exhibit clear cyclic variations in San Vicente de la Barquera Estuary and Marismas de Santoña Estuary oysters, related with seasonal periods, and characterised by broad maxima during months in which the waters are warmer and have higher salinity. These patterns are buffered in Santander Bay oysters. Our results demonstrate that biometric, microstructural, and high-resolution trace element studies in oyster shells can provide information about contaminants and seasonal variations in the estuarine environment.     

The range expansion patterns of Spartina alterniflora on salt marshes in the Yangtze Estuary,China

The range expansion patterns of Spartina alterniflora and the roles which sexual reproduction and asexual propagation play in range expansion were investigated at the Chongming Dongtan nature reserve in the Yangtze Estuary, China. Two range expansion patterns of S. alterniflora at its advancing fronts could be found (1) S. alterniflora–mudflat front (S–M) and (2) S. alterniflora–Scirpus mariqueter–mudflat front (S–S–M). One feature revealed by this study was that a flush of seedling recruitment and establishment in spring was a crucial way for S. alterniflora to colonize new habitats and achieve a fast rate of range expansion. The mean number of seedlings recruited at the S–M front was much higher than that at the S–S–M front. Once established, the survivorship of seedlings was high, both at the S–M and S–S–M fronts. The established seedlings formed new tussocks quickly by vegetative tillering and growth of rhizomes and these finally merged into dense meadows. The mean distance of range expansion of S. alterniflora, after one growing season at the S–M front, was 25.4 ± 3.1 m yr⁻¹ and 2.7 ± 0.5 m yr⁻¹ at the S–S–M front. Sexual reproduction by seedlings and asexual propagation by tillering and growth of rhizomes were the two main means by which S. alterniflora could maintain a fast rate of range expansion on the salt marshes of the Yangtze Estuary. The colonization behaviors of S. alterniflora on advancing fronts differed as a reaction to various external and internal factors. The impact of abiotic and biotic factors governing the range expansion of S. alterniflora and its implications for the spatial structure of tidal wetlands are discussed.     

长江口及其邻近海域水螅水母纲新种和新记录记述

长江口及其邻近海域水螅水母纲有49种,隶属于26科,34属,其中有2个新种:瓣高手水母(Bougainvillia lamellata n.sp.)、单管玛拉水母(Malagazzia monocanalis n.sp.)和2种我国新记录:橙黄高手水母(Bougainvillia aurantiaca Bouillon,1980)、玫瑰太阳水母[Solmaris rhodolma(Brandt,1838)],此外,我国记载的束状高手水母[Bougainvillia ramosa(van Beneden,1844)]订正为鳞茎高手水母(B.muscus(Allman,1863)).     

On-line determination of silver in natural waters by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry: Influence of organic matter

We investigated interference effects on the analysis of silver in estuarine and oceanic waters using on-line high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A mini-column packed with a strong anion exchange resin (Dowex 1-X8) was used in a flow-injection system to separate and concentrate silver from the saline samples prior to on-line determination by ICP-MS. A series of analyses showed the concentrations of silver measured in San Francisco Bay estuary and the North Pacific that had been acidified (pH < 2) and stored for periods of 1–2 years were 10–70% lower than those measured in aliquots of those samples after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Additional silver released after UV irradiation of the estuarine waters, but not the ocean waters, was positively correlated (r = 0.77, simple linear correlation) with chlorophyll-a concentrations, but not with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. Spatial distributions of chlorophyll-a and UV-released silver also exhibited similar patterns along a salinity gradient in the San Francisco Bay estuary, suggesting an in situ biogenic source of the interferent for the silver measurements.     

Relationships between physiological stress and trace toxic substances in the bay mussel, Mytilus edulis, from San Francisco bay,California

Resident populations of Mytilus edulis from Tomales and San Francisco Bay, California, were measured for scope of growth, a physiological integration of the energy consumed by individual animals (feeding rate and assimilation efficiency) less the energy lost in metabolic processes (oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion). Scope for growth of mussels was significantly correlated (p≤ 0·05) with feeding rates. There was a significant decline in the scope for growth between the Golden Gate, at the bay's entrance and RedwoodCity in south San Francisco Bay. The scope for growth in resident M. edulis was significantly negatively correlated (p≤ 0·05) with increased environmental concentrations (from transplanted M. californianus body burden data) of the following trace elements and higher molecular weight chlorinated organic compounds: Cr, Cu, Hg (p ≤ 0·01) and Ag, Al, Zn, total chlordanes, and dieldrin. Scope for growth was significantly correlated (p ≤0·05) with body condition index (dry body weight1shell length).     

海月水母(Aurelia sp.1)对中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)和东海原甲藻(Prorocentrum donghaiense)摄食的研究

采用饵料浓度差减法,在实验条件下研究了不同细胞密度的中肋骨条藻和东海原甲藻对海月水母水螅体、碟状体和水母体摄食活动的影响。结果表明,不同种类和密度的微藻细胞密度对水螅体、碟状体和水母体的摄食有显著影响。在实验的藻细胞密度范围内,随藻细胞密度的增加,水螅体和碟状体对中肋骨条藻和东海原甲藻的摄食率一直升高。水螅体对中肋骨条藻和东海原甲藻的最大摄食率均发生在藻细胞密度最高处,分别为4623cells/(ind.h)和4118cells/(ind.h)。碟状体对中肋骨条藻和东海原甲藻的最大摄食率也是发生在藻细胞密度最高处,分别为174671cells/(ind.h)和47218cells/(ind.h)。清滤率随着藻细胞密度增加而降低。在相似细胞密度下,碟状体对中肋骨条藻的摄食率高于东海原甲藻。水螅体和碟状体对同种藻的摄食情况不同,在相似藻细胞密度下,碟状体的摄食率比水螅体高。经过藻类饵料适应处理的水螅体对藻类的摄食率会有显著增加,约为未经饵料适应处理的10倍。水母体对中肋骨条藻和东海原甲藻未发生摄食。     

Spatial distribution of zooplankton in the intertidal marsh creeks of the Yangtze River Estuary,China

Zooplankton are important grazers of primary production within intertidal marshes and are the optimal prey of higher trophic consumers; however, the patterns of their spatial distribution in marsh creeks are rarely reported. The zooplankton in the intertidal creeks with different salinities at Dongtan marshes of the Yangtze River Estuary was surveyed. The mean zooplankton densities in the intertidal creeks were 53,638 ind. m⁻³ in April and 132,916 ind. m⁻³ in July, respectively, which were as high as in the near-shore subtidal waters of the Yangtze River Estuary. This high abundance implied the important roles of zooplankton in the matter flux between marshes and near-shore waters through complex intertidal creek systems. Zooplankton total densities changed significantly from northern to southern creeks. ANOSIM and CCA analyses revealed that the zooplankton community structure were significantly different among the northern, eastern and southern creeks, and between two sampling seasons. Salinity accounted for most of the spatial variation of zooplankton community, whereas water temperature, chlorophyll a concentration, and pH were the main reasons of the temporal variation observed. Copepods were the most abundant zooplankton group. A total of 24 copepod species, belonging to 15 families and 20 genera, were recorded. Planktonic copepods preferred the northern and eastern creeks, with higher densities in July than in April, while benthic copepods predominated only in the northern creeks in April. Since the role of benthic and planktonic copepods may differ in transporting nutrients in the intertidal creeks, it is suggested that the variations in their distribution may influence the ecological functions of zooplankton in the estuarine matter fluxes both spatially and temporally.