Abstract
Abstract Background The mesoscale distribution of thaliaceans associated with hydrographic conditions in the waters around Taiwan was investigated during two different monsoon seasons in 2004 in order to elucidate possible influences of hydrological conditions driven by seasonal monsoons on distributional patterns of thaliaceans. Results In total, 18 thaliacean species, belonging to 12 genera and 3 families, were identified in our samples. Thalia rhomboides, Doliolum denticulatum, Doliolum nationalis, Thalia orientalis, Pyrosoma verticillatum, and Thalia democratica were the six predominant species and contributed 93% to the total thaliacean collection by number. Thaliacean assemblages were similar in composition between seasons, but abundances and species numbers were higher in summer than in winter. Spatial distribution patterns of doliolids and salps clearly differed and were closely associated with hydrographic characteristics. Doliolids were mainly found in lower-salinity and nutrient-rich shelf and neritic waters; among them, D. denticulatum could be used as an indicator species of the China Coastal Current. Most salp species showed higher abundances in warm oceanic waters, such as the Kuroshio Current, Kuroshio Branch Current, and South China Sea Surface Current. Conclusions This study showed that the succession of water masses driven by monsoons affects seasonal and particularly spatial distributions of abundances of the thaliacean assemblage in the area studied.
Highlights
The mesoscale distribution of thaliaceans associated with hydrographic conditions in the waters around Taiwan was investigated during two different monsoon seasons in 2004 in order to elucidate possible influences of hydrological conditions driven by seasonal monsoons on distributional patterns of thaliaceans
We investigated spatial distributions of thaliacean assemblages during the northeasterly monsoon (NEM) and southwesterly monsoon (SWM) seasons in waters around Taiwan in order to elucidate possible influences of hydrological conditions driven by seasonal monsoons on distributional patterns of thaliaceans
In conclusion, our results provide evidence that the spatio-seasonal pattern of thaliaceans is closely associated with mesoscale oceanic features in waters around Taiwan
Summary
The mesoscale distribution of thaliaceans associated with hydrographic conditions in the waters around Taiwan was investigated during two different monsoon seasons in 2004 in order to elucidate possible influences of hydrological conditions driven by seasonal monsoons on distributional patterns of thaliaceans. There are three main oceanic currents in the Taiwan Strait (TS): the China Coastal Current (CCC), South China Sea Surface Current (SCSSC), and Kuroshio Branch Current (KBC). These currents are strongly influenced by monsoons and seasonally change their direction and succession. Because of the SWM, the CCC may only reach the northern TS or sometimes disappears altogether All of these complex hydrological conditions in waters around Taiwan greatly affect the distribution patterns of marine zooplankton and other organisms (Lo et al 2004, 2012; Hwang and Wong 2005; Hwang et al 2006; Hsieh et al 2011, 2012, 2013; Chou et al 2012)
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