Quantitative distributional patterns and aspects of the biology of the Mysidacea (Crustacea: Peracarida) in the zooplankton of the Bay of Fundy region

Abstract

Three mysids, Erythrops erythropthalma, Mysis stenolepis, and Neomysis americana occurred in the zooplankton of the Bay of Fundy and adjacent waters from 1973 through 1981. Erythrops erythropthalma occurred in low numbers in scattered areas, such as the mouth of Passamaquoddy Bay, Grand Manan Channel, the coast of Maine, and off St. Mary's Bay and southwest Nova Scotia. Mysis stenolepis was taken rarely and only in the shallower stations near the coast and in the inner Bay of Fundy. Neomysis americana was the most abundant mysid and the most widespread in its distribution. Populations were found at the head of the Bay of Fundy and in St. Mary's Bay. Seasonally, N. americana was least abundant in the spring, with numbers and area of distribution increasing in the summer and fall. The life history pattern of N. americana in the inner Bay of Fundy was the same as that found in other areas nearby. It rarely occurred in depths greater than 75 m and was more abundant in the zooplankton at night than during the day. Because of the great abundance of N. americana in the inner Bay of Fundy and St. Mary's Bay, it provides an excellent food source for larval and adult fish in these areas.