Absence Of Phytoplankton Research Articles

Capture of conspecific planktonic larvae by the suspension-feeding gastropodCrepipatella peruviana: association between adult and larval size

ABSTRACTFree-living, planktonic larvae can be vulnerable to capture and ingestion by adult suspension-feeders. This is particularly the case for larvae that settle gregariously in benthic environments where suspension-feeders occur at high densities. Larvae of gregarious suspension-feeding species are at particularly high risk, as adults of their own species often serve as cues for metamorphosis. We conducted laboratory experiments to assess the extent to which adults of the suspension-feeding caenogastropod Crepipatella peruviana would capture and ingest their own larvae. Experiments were conducted with adults of different sizes, with larvae of different ages and sizes, and in the presence or absence of phytoplankton. Adults captured larvae in all experiments. The presence of microalgae in the water did not influence the extent of larval capture. On average, 39% of larvae were captured during the 3-h feeding periods, regardless of adult size. However, up to 34% of the larvae that were captured on the gill were later discarded as pseudofaeces; the other 64% were ingested. The extent of capture by adults was not related to adult size, or to larval size and, thus, to larval age. Our results suggest that the filtration of congeneric larvae by adult C. peruviana is a result of accidental capture rather than a deliberate feeding preference. Such ingestion could, however, still be an important source of larval mortality, especially when the advanced larvae of this species are searching for a suitable substrate for metamorphosis.

Functional feeding response of Nordic and Arctic krill on natural phytoplankton and zooplankton

Abstract Krill species play a pivotal role in energetic transfer from lower to upper trophic levels. However, functional feeding responses, which determine how food availability influences ingestion rates, are still not well defined for northern krill species. Here, we estimated and compared the functional feeding responses on natural communities of phytoplankton and mesozooplankton of two coexisting species, Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Thysanoessa raschii. We tested the influence of the presence of phytoplankton on the ingestion rate and the selectivity of both krill species when feeding on zooplankton prey. We performed a series of feeding experiments using increasing concentrations of natural phytoplankton (64 taxa; 2 to >50 μm) and mesozooplankton (28 taxa; ~100–2000 μm) assemblages and the latter in presence and absence of phytoplankton. Results revealed that both krill species exhibited a Holling type III feeding response on phytoplankton. However, T. raschii was able to exploit efficiently the highest phytoplankton concentrations. Our experiments highlighted that the presence of phytoplankton modified the functional feeding response on mesozooplankton preys of M. norvegica, but not that of T. raschii. Similarly, the presence of phytoplankton influenced the feeding selectivity on mesozooplankton preys, although both species showed contrasting selectivity patterns. In addition, we estimated the energy needs in relation to the daily rations. T. raschii satisfied its energy needs by feeding either on high phytoplankton concentrations or on low mesozooplankton densities, whereas M. norvegica did not cover its metabolic costs efficiently by feeding on phytoplankton only, even at high phytoplankton concentrations.

A nonautonomous model for the effect of environmental toxins on plankton dynamics

The increasing input of environmental toxins in aquatic systems raises concerns regarding the environmental exposure and impact of toxins on natural aquatic environments. Phytoplankton and zooplankton appear to be among the most sensitive aquatic organisms to environmental toxins. Moreover, toxin-producing phytoplankton plays an important role in regulating the real aquatic ecosystems. In this paper, the combined effects of these factors on the dynamics of phytoplankton–zooplankton interactions are investigated. The phytoplankton grows logistically, but their growth rate is suppressed due to the presence of environmental toxins. The zooplankton is assumed to be generalist and follows logistic growth in the absence of phytoplankton. Also, it is considered that toxicants in the environment are increased constantly due to different natural and human behaviors. Global sensitivity analysis helps to identify the most significant parameters that reduce the environmental toxins in the system. Among these, the input rate of environmental toxins, contact rate between phytoplankton and environmental toxins, and environmental toxins-induced growth suppression of phytoplankton have destabilizing effect on the dynamics of system, while the depletion rate of environmental toxins has stabilizing effect. Therefore, it is imperative to modulate the depletion rate of environmental toxins to prevent the crash of the aquatic food web system. Further, we incorporate seasonal variations in the model, letting the parameters become functions of time. Sufficient conditions for the existence and stability of positive periodic solutions are obtained. We also derive conditions for existence, uniqueness and stability of a positive almost periodic solution. Large values of time-dependent toxin release by phytoplankton and input rate of environmental toxins induce periodic solutions of the nonautonomous system while the corresponding autonomous system exhibits a stable focus. Interestingly, our nonautonomous system exhibits bursting patterns for two slow rationally related excitation frequencies. Finally, we convert our deterministic autonomous model into stochastic model by introducing additive noise term. We find that the stability of the system gets disturbed in the presence of environmental fluctuation.

Synoptic-Scale Atmospheric Motions Modulated by Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in the Sea of Japan

Abstract Atmospheric responses to biological heating caused by the spring phytoplankton bloom in the Sea of Japan are investigated. Sea surface temperature (SST) is first computed using a mixed-layer model with an ocean reanalysis product. Satellite-derived surface chlorophyll concentrations representing phytoplankton population are input to an equation for attenuation coefficients of solar radiation penetrating the mixed layer. Two sets of SST are obtained by this model, using the attenuation coefficients with and without phytoplankton. It is found that the phytoplankton bloom increases SST by up to 0.8°C by mid-May, especially in the northern Sea of Japan. Thereafter, two experiments using a regional atmospheric numerical model are conducted for April and May. One imposes SST synthesized by multiple satellite observations on the lower boundary of the model (the green case). The satellite-derived SST includes influences of biological heating by phytoplankton in the actual ocean. The other uses SST reduced by differences between SSTs computed by the mixed-layer model with and without phytoplankton (the blue case). Under modest wind conditions, extratropical cyclones east and south of the Japan Islands in the blue case develop more rapidly than in the green case. Cyclones are likely initiated by the cool and dry air mass that enhances lower-level baroclinicity above oceanic fronts. This cool and dry air mass is transported from the Sea of Japan, where SST decreases in the absence of phytoplankton. Therefore, incorporating ocean biology is potentially capable of improving regional atmospheric and ocean general circulation models.

Dietary effect of fish oil and soybean lecithin on growth and survival of juvenileLitopenaeus vannameiin the presence or absence of phytoplankton in an indoor system

This study was conducted to evaluate whether phospholipids have the potential to reduce the level of dietary fish oil inclusion in shrimp feeds in the presence and absence of phytoplankton. To do so, weight gain of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei stocked at 80 shrimp m−2 fed different dietary levels of fish oil and soybean lecithin was determined. Six experimental 35% protein diets were formulated to contain 1%, 2% or 3% fish oil combined with either 1% or 4% soybean lecithin. Dietary effects were evaluated using a ‘clear-water culture system’ without the presence of microalgae in 40-L aquaria and a ‘green-water culture system’ in 1.9-MT tanks. After an 8-week feeding period, shrimp cultured in both systems and fed diets containing 4% soybean lecithin had greater weight gain than those fed 1%. Thus, diets supplemented with phospholipids improved the efficiency of lipid utilization for growth: diets containing 1% fish oil in combination with 4% soybean lecithin can be used as a cost-effective combination for commercial shrimp culture feeds. Weight gain in the green-water system was 1.5–1.7 times greater than that for shrimp reared under clear-water conditions, suggesting that phytoplankton contributes to shrimp growth through the continuous provision of nutrients.

Importance of bacterivory and preferential selection toward diatoms in larvae of Crepidula fornicata (L.) assessed by a dual stable isotope (13C, 15N) labeling approach

In Europe, the gastropod Crepidula fornicata is an invasive species characterized by a long reproductive period (from February to November). Thus, its larvae are exposed to variations in available food sources (in terms of quantity and quality). We aimed to investigate if bacteria could contribute to larval food both in presence or absence of phytoplankton, and to compare these results to seasonal variations of bacteria and phytoplankton abundances at a coastal site in the English Channel. First, ingestion of fluorescent beads of 0.5 to 2μm diameter, showed that larvae were able to ingest particles of typical bacterial size. Then we used a dual stable isotope labeling approach which consisted in labeling a bacterial pelagic community with 15N and a diatom (Chaetoceros gracilis) culture with 13C, and supplying larvae with 15N-labeled bacteria, 13C-labeled diatoms, and both labeled sources. This technique has, to our knowledge, never been applied to invertebrate larvae. After 24h of experiment, larvae were significantly enriched in all treatments: +21.5‰ (∆δ13C) when supplied with diatoms, +1364‰ (∆δ15N) when supplied with bacteria, and +24‰ (∆δ13C) and +135‰ (∆δ15N) when supplied with the two mixed sources. These results indicated that bacteria can contribute to the larval nutrition in C. fornicata, even in the presence of phytoplankton. Our results however suggested that larvae of C. fornicata preferentially used diatoms and showed that the supply of free bacteria did not alter the uptake of diatoms. Considering the seasonal variations of bacteria and phytoplankton abundances at the study site, these results suggested that bacteria may constitute a complementary resource for the larvae of C. fornicata when phytoplankton is abundant and may become a substitute resource when phytoplankton is less available. This approach offers promising perspectives to trace food sources and assess nitrogen and carbon fluxes between planktotrophic larvae and their preys.

Dietary effect of squid and fish meals on growth and survival of Pacific white shrimpLitopenaeus vannameiin the presence or absence of phytoplankton in an indoor tank system

This study was conducted in 36 indoor 40-L fibreglass aquaria to determine the weight gain and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei fed different dietary levels of fish (FM) and squid meal (SM) and to evaluate the potential of phytoplankton to reduce FM and SM levels in shrimp feeds. Six experimental isonitrogenous (35% protein) and isocaloric (17.5 kJ g−1) diets were formulated to contain either 5%, 10% or 20% SM combined with either 6.5% or 12% FM. Dietary effects on growth and survival were compared in two systems: a ‘CLEAR water system’ (CWS) without the presence of microalgae and a ‘GREEN water system’ (GWS) with microalgae in the culture water. Shrimp cultured in the GWS had 28–57% greater weight gain than those cultured in the CWS, regardless of dietary treatment. However, survival was not different. Shrimp cultured in the CWS or the GWS, and fed diets containing combinations of FM and SM did not show differences in weight gain and feed conversion ratio. These results suggest that under the conditions existing during this research, 6.5% FM and 5% SM can be used as a cost-effective combination in commercial feeds for shrimp production and that growth can be enhanced in the presence of primary productivity.

Evaluation of Dairy–Yeast Prebiotic Supplementation in the Diet of Juvenile Goldfish in the Presence or Absence of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton

Prebiotics recently have been shown to increase immune responses and disease resistance in certain fish species; therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the commercially available dairy-yeast prebiotic, GroBiotic-A, for use with juvenile goldfish Carassius auratus. The study consisted of two 10-week feeding trials in which juvenile goldfish were fed practical diets that were either unsupplemented or supplemented with the dairy-yeast prebiotic at 2% by dry weight. Juvenile fish were sorted by size and stocked into 12 units within each of two culture systems: one indoor system supplied with recirculated well water and one system located outdoors with a continuous flow of pond water to provide a source of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Both diets were fed to fish in six units within each system at the same fixed percentage of body weight twice daily. Culture system (i.e., presence or absence of phytoplankton and zooplankton) was the primary factor influencing (P < 0.0001) percent weight gain, feed efficiency, and survival of goldfish during the feeding trials. No dietary effect was detected, although there was a significant (P < 0.05) interaction between culture system and diet, with supplementation of the dairy-yeast prebiotic tending to improve weight gain and feed efficiency of fish in the presence of phytoplankton/zooplankton. During a controlled disease challenge with an intraperitoneally administered dose of Aeromonas hydrophila that was equivalent to a predetermined LD50 (dose lethal to 50% of test fish), average survival values ranged between 67% and 83% for fish that previously had access to phytoplankton/zooplankton compared with 17-33% for fish that had no access to phytoplankton/zooplankton. The dairy-yeast prebiotic, however, did not enhance resistance of goldfish to the bacterial pathogen and did not greatly alter microbiota of the anterior or posterior gastrointestinal tract based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis. In conclusion, the dairy-yeast prebiotic did not improve feed efficiency in goldfish or resistance to a bacterial pathogen as previously observed in golden shiners Notemigonus crysoleucas and hybrid bass (white bass Morone chrysops X striped bass M. saxatilis).

Comparative accumulation and composition of lipophilic marine biotoxins in passive samplers and in mussels (M. edulis) on the West Coast of Ireland

Monitoring of lipophilic marine toxins was carried out in three shellfish production sites on the West Coast of Ireland. The toxins were monitored using passive samplers (solid phase adsorption toxin tracking; SPATT) and toxin-free mussels that were replaced weekly in the selected sampling stations. The toxin profiles and concentrations obtained in the SPATT and in the transplanted mussels were compared with those observed in indigenous (native) mussels from each production site as well as with the phytoplankton that was detected in the water. Numerous lipophilic toxins were detected in the SPATT discs by ultra-performance liquid-chromatography–mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) and included okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-2 (DTX2), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), AZA1, AZA2, yessotoxin (YTX) and SPX-13-DesMe-C. The accumulation rate of toxins in the indigenous mussels and in the SPATT discs correlated well. Toxins were detected in all SPATT discs from all locations, even in the absence of toxin-producing phytoplankton, as observed previously by other research groups. It is quite clear from our data that the presence of okadaic acid in the water (even at high concentrations) did not induce toxicity in the transplanted mussels in the absence of phytoplankton. A severe toxic event of azaspiracids (AZAs) occurred in one of the sampling stations. The SPATT discs accumulated predominantly AZA1 and -2 suggesting that both toxins are biosynthesized by the AZA-producing organism. As opposed to the DSP event, the AZA event resulted in the contamination of the transplanted mussels for several consecutive weeks. This is the first study that reports the presence of YTX and SPX-13-DesMe-C in Irish waters. In our study conditions, the SPATT did not enable the forecasting of shellfish contamination as the increase in toxin concentration occurred at the same time in the shellfish and in the SPATT.

Use of Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Reflectance in Extracting the Spectral Volume Absorption Coefficient for Phytoplankton in Coastal Water: Remote Sensing Relationships for the Inherent Optical Properties of Coastal Water

Abstract We use Remote Sensing Reflectance (Rrs) measurements from Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) to produce maps of the absorption coefficient, aph(λ), by phytoplankton in Great Bay, New Jersey. First, the near-infrared data are used to determine the total scattering coefficient b(λ) for λ > 730 nm at all points of the image. Then, the infrared b(λ) is extended smoothly to the visible region of the spectrum and is in turn used to determine ad(λ) and ay(λ), the respective volume absorption coefficient by detritus and colored dissolved organic material (CDOM). The determination of b(λ), ad(λ), and ay(λ) allows us to simulate what Rrs(λ) should be in the absence of phytoplankton. Subsequently, the simulated Rrs(λ) without phytoplankton is compared with the measured Rrs(λ) to “black out” the spectrum of aph(λ) at any point of the image. By applying this procedure in the form of remote sensing algorithms, we can map out the distribution of aph(λ) at any given wavelength over the optic...

Coprophagy and coprorhexy in the copepods Acartia tonsa and Temora longicornis: clearance rates and feeding behaviour

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 299:217-227 (2005) - doi:10.3354/meps299217 Coprophagy and coprorhexy in the copepods Acartia tonsa and Temora longicornis: clearance rates and feeding behaviour Louise K. Poulsen*, Thomas Kiørboe Department of Marine Ecology and Aquaculture, Danish Institute for Fisheries Research, Kavalergården 6, 2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark *Email: lkp@dfu.min.dk ABSTRACT: Decades of sediment trap studies have revealed that zooplankton fecal pellets constitute a much smaller fraction of the sedimentary flux than expected from the abundance of copepods and their anticipated production rates of fecal pellets. The explanation for this is thought to be coprophagy (ingestion) of fecal pellets by copepods. We examined fecal pellet clearance rate of Acartia tonsa and Temora longicornis and feeding behaviour of A. tonsa. Pellet clearance rates in A. tonsa and T. longicornis females were similar but low on their own pellets (11 to 22 ml female–1 d–1). Our own data together with observations compiled from the literature revealed that copepod fecal pellet clearance rates decrease with increasing relative pellet size and that all species can be described by a common relationship. In A. tonsa, the presence of alternative phytoplankton food increased pellet clearance rate. Direct observations revealed that this was accomplished through the modulating effect of phytoplankton on the feeding behaviour. In the absence of phytoplankton, A. tonsa is non-motile but perceives sinking fecal pellets at distance. However, only a small fraction of the pellets that came within detection distance elicited an attack. In the presence of phytoplankton food, A. tonsa switched to suspension feeding, and all fecal pellets entrained in the feeding current were encountered. Independent of the feeding mode, fecal pellets were mainly degraded by fragmentation during rejection and only a small fraction was actually ingested (5%). The main impact of A. tonsa on the vertical flux of fecal pellets is therefore through coprorhexy (fragmentation) turning fecal pellets into smaller, slower-sinking particles. KEY WORDS: Coprorhexy · Coprophagy · Acartia tonsa · Temora longicornis · Fecal pellet clearance rate · Feeding mode · Behaviour Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 299. Online publication date: September 01, 2005 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2005 Inter-Research.

Earth surface reflectivity climatology at 340–380 nm from TOMS data

The 340–380 nm (UV) Lambertian equivalent reflectivities (LER) of the Earth's surface, between the latitudes ±70°, are constructed from 14.5 years of radiances measured by Nimbus‐7/total ozone mapping spectrometer (November 1978 to May 1993). The surface LER values are obtained from the minimum reflectivity values for each 1°×1.25° (latitude × longitude) pixel with statistically improbable outlier values removed. The resulting LER climatology shows low surface reflectivity values over the entire globe at 340 and 380 nm that are nearly independent of wavelength (the difference is less than 0.2%). In general, the LER is lower over the land (2–4%) than over the oceans (5–8%), though both land and water have features outside of these ranges. Monthly maps of LER are derived that include seasonally persistent cloud features, as well as showing seasonal surface variations. There are low reflectivity regions in the ocean coastal waters that appear to be indicative of chlorophyll or silt from wave action or from rivers. There also are mid‐ocean areas of comparatively high reflectivity with a seasonal variation that is not solar zenith angle dependent. These areas of high ocean reflectivity correlate with coastal zone color scanner observations that were associated with the absence of phytoplankton (clear water).

Ontogenetic changes in the vertical distribution of giant scallop larvae, Placopecten magellanicus, in 9-m deep mesocosms as a function of light, food, and temperature stratification

To understand how thermal stratification and food abundance affects the vertical distribution of giant scallop larvae Placopecten magellanicus (Gmelin), a mesocosm study was conducted in January and February 1992. The position of larvae was followed over 55 d in replicated 9-m deep tanks in relation to a sharp thermocline and the presence or absence of phytoplankton. Growth and vertical position of larvae were monitored in separate treatments which included phytoplankton added above the thermocline, below the thermocline, throughout the mesocosm, or absent from the mesocosm. Changes in the vertical position of larvae over time were quantified with a new, profiling, video-optical instrument capable of semi-automatically identifying, counting and sizing larvae. The strong diurnal migration of scallop larvae resulted in aggregations at two interfaces: the air/water interface during the night, and at the thermocline during the day. At times, the concentration of larvae within cm of the surface was > 100 times that in the remaining water column. The formation of bioconvective cells of swimming larvae at the air/water interface allowed larval aggregations to persist throughout the period of darkness. Regardless of the distribution of food, larvae remained above the thermocline during most of the experiment. Therefore, only in those treatments where food was also present above the thermocline was larval growth relatively high. Larger larvae penetrated the thermocline only after reaching a shell length of about 200 μm; thus larval size, rather than chronological age, was more important in describing their vertical distribution. The rapid increase in kinematic viscosity with decreasing water temperature at the thermocline may retard the movement of larvae and contribute to aggregation at this interface. The influence of larval size on their vertical distribution, and the resulting potential for horizontal transport to settlement sites, points to the importance of persistent hydrographic features as critical factors contributing to settlement variance in scallops.

Influence of phytoplankton on the response of bacterioplankton growth to nutrient enrichment

SUMMARY 1. Laboratory experiments were conducted to test the effect of nutrient enrichment on bacterioplankton growth in the presence and absence of phytoplankton. 2. In one series of experiments, bacterioplankton growth in terms of specific activity [3H-thymidine incorporation (cell number)−1] was greater in whole lake water samples than in samples from which phytoplankton had been removed by filtration (1.0 μm), regardless of the nutrient enrichments (control, NH+4 plus PO3-4 and mannitol). Organic C enhanced bacterioplankton growth in both whole and filtered lake water. 3. In another series of experiments (with the same nutrient enrichments as in the first experiment except that glucose replaced mannitol), bacterioplankton growth in whole lake water enriched with PO3-4 plus NH+4 and incubated in the light was greater than in two treatments designed to inhibit photosynthetic activity (+DCMU and dark). Bacterioplankton response to nutrient addition was greatest in the PO3-4 plus NH+4 enrichment under all three conditions (light +DCMU, and dark). 4. These results indicate that bacterioplankton growth could be directly limited by inorganic P and N when these elements are in short supply. Enhancement of bacterioplankton growth by phytoplankton occurs only under PO3-4 and NH+4 replete environments.

Effects of conspecifics and phytoplankton on predation rates of the omnivorous copepods Epischura lacustris and Epischura nordenskioldi.

We measured the effects of conspecifics and phytoplankton on the rate at which Epischura lacustris and Epischura nordenskioldi prey upon calanoid nauplii. Per capita predation rates of Epischura in the presence of conspecifics and phytoplankton were 73% lower than those of lone individuals in the absence of phytoplankton. Because these effects occurred at common field densities of Epischura, animal prey, and phytoplankton, it is likely that they occur in situ. Therefore, estimates of the effect of spatial and temporal patchiness on predation rates of omnivorous copepods should consider phytoplankton and conspecifics, not simply the abundance and composition of the animal prey assemblage.

Dark bacterial-protozoan culture: acidification, nitrite accumulation, and protozoan inhibition in absence of phytoplankton

A 50-1 batch culture of sea water has been performed in a dark, aerated, and thermostated tank. A daily organic enrichment promoted the growth of bacteria and protozoans. Degradation of organic matter and biomass production were studied through transfers between organic and inorganic nitrogen compartments. Quantitative and qualitative development of bacteria and protozoans compared with dissolved free amino-acid (DFAA) concentrations interactions and limiting factors in a bacterial-protozoan food web have been studied. A steady state in microbial production appeared after 2 wk. It coincided with the development of a heterotrophic bacterial community utilizing DFAAs more as growth factors than an energy source. The limiting factor seems to be nitrifying activity: autotrophic bacteria as ammonia-oxidisers utilized inorganic nitrogen more for their energy requirement than for biomass production. Furthermore, the small amount of biomass produced by nitrifiers was coupled with nitrite accumulation and acidification of the culture. This paper illustrates the role of autotrophic activity when phytoplankton growth is avoided and the difficulty of obtaining a large biomass production under these conditions.

The effects of photosynthetically raised pH and light on some ciliated Protozoa in a eutrophic pond

SummarySome ciliated Protozoa (e.g. Loxodes magnus, L. striatus, Spirostomum teres, S. ambiguum and Frontonia leucas) are abundant during summer in the hypolimnion of a eutrophic pond in north‐west England but are absent from the epilimnion. The work described in this paper was begun with the aim of investigating the suggestion that high pH values caused by phytoplankton photosynthesis contributed to the exclusion of these ciliates from the epilimnion. In July 1973, phytoplankton photosynthesis and high pH were found only in the epilimnion, hence conditions were compatible with the above suggestion. Ciliates were, therefore, kept in the laboratory in hypolimnion water and were exposed to phytoplankton photosynthesis, both with and without pH increase. It was found that Loxodes died under both treatments hence there is no evidence that high pH is lethal to Loxodes. It seemed possible, therefore, that either light or toxins released by algae during photosynthesis are lethal to Loxodes. L. magnus was, therefore, exposed to light in the absence of phytoplankton (in filtered hypolimnion water) both in the laboratory and in the pond and it was found that light was lethal. High light intensities might, therefore, contribute to the exclusion of at least Loxodes species from the surface water of the pond, although other adverse factors are probably operative since Loxodes species do not migrate into the epilimnion at night.

Studies on the Interrelationships of Zooplankton and Phytoplankton

An apparatus in which it is possible to observe the horizontal migrations of zooplankton in gradients of phytoplankton is described, and an account given of its use in experiments involving various organisms. A preliminary search for toxic organisms is also described.The experiments comprise a demonstration of a migration by various animals into concentrations ofthe diatoms Skeletonema, Thalassiosira, Biddulphia, Nitzschia and various mixed cultures and the flagellates Chlamydomonas, Peridinium, Dicrateria, K, and Oxyrrhis. Cultures of Rhodomonas and Gymnodinium II are found to produce the opposite effect, and no reaction towards Lauderia, Coscinodiscus, Eucampia, Syracosphaera and Exuviaella could be shown. Results with bacteria cultures andvarious inorganic gradients are also discussed.A second apparatus in which it is possible to observe the vertical migrations of zooplankton in the presence and absence of phytoplankton is also described, and an account given of experiments in it involving various organisms.The experiments comprise a demonstration that greater numbers of animals swim up in the presence of mixed phytoplankton cultures, Coscinodiscus, Skeletonema, Ditylum, Chlamydomonas, Gymnodinium I and II and Oxyrrhis than in unenriched water. Flagellate One has no effect and Chlorella possibly depresses the number swimming up.Under-water observations on the swimming movements of some of the animals used are described. The possible application of the observations towards resolving the problem of the inverse distribution of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the sea is discussed, and the hypothesis is proposed that this may be accounted for by a combination of migration and grazing. It is considered that plankton animals must migrate both horizontally and vertically into patches of phytoplankton and, when present in sufficient numbers, graze these down very quickly.