Distribution Of Euphausiids Research Articles

Primary productivity impacts community structure of euphausiids in the low-latitude Indian and Pacific Oceans

Euphausiids are a vital component of global marine micronekton. To reveal the primary environmental factors influencing euphausiid distribution patterns in the previously overlooked low-latitude ecosystems, we investigated a large-scale community structure of euphausiids covering the North Pacific subtropical gyre (NPSG) and low-latitude eastern Indian (EI), and South Pacific Oceans (SP). A total of 41 euphausiid species from six genera were identified. Integrated primary production (PP) correlated significantly with the euphausiid abundance and species diversity and displayed the most critical influence on the variations in euphausiid community structure in low latitudes. Dissolved oxygen (DO) was the second significant environmental driver. Due to the distinct distribution patterns of euphausiid species in response to different PP and DO levels, the low-latitude euphausiid assemblages were mainly distinguished into subtropical and tropical communities. The subtropical euphausiid community associated with lower PP and higher DO demonstrated significantly lower euphausiid abundance but higher diversity than the tropical community. Euphausia brevis, E. mutica, and Stylocheiron abbreviatum, which characterize the subtropical community, appear to depend less on the phytoplanktonic prey. Euphausia diomedeae and Hansarsia gracilis, typifying the tropical population, showed stronger hypoxia tolerance. Additionally, each community was further divided into three subgroups under the influence of surface PP (subtropical: marginal NPSG, central NPSG, and austral EI-SP subgroups; tropical: the Bay of Bengal, equatorial EI, and equatorial EI-SP subgroups). These results suggested that food resource is the most important in shaping euphausiids’ community structure in an oligotrophic ecosystem with subtle hydrography gradients.

Distribution, abundance, and diversity of euphausiids and their relationships with hydrodynamic processes in Campeche Canyon, Gulf of Mexico

We analyzed the abundance, diversity, and distribution of euphausiids and their relationship with hydrodynamic processes from February 2011 to October 2012 in the Campeche Canyon in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Sampling was conducted at 55 oceanographic stations and zooplankton were captured using horizontal trawls. Environmentalvariables (temperature, salinity, and oxygen) and phytoplankton fluorescence were recorded at different depths. Twenty-four species of euphausiids representing the genera Euphausia, Nematobrachion, Nematoscelis, Stylocheiron, and Thysanopoda were identified. Stylocheiron carinatum was abundant in February and October, with the furcilia stage always the dominant one. Differences were observed among the 4 zones identified based on the bathymetric criteria; zone III (axis and head of the canyon) presented the highest diversity of euphausiids between 100 and 200 mwith 2.14 bits Ind-1 in February and 1.99 bits Ind-1 in October. The spatial-temporal distribution of euphausiids was heterogeneous in water bodies with temperatures between 15 and 22 °C and low dissolved oxygen concentrations, which were distributed outside the maximum concentrations of chlorophyll-a (2,127 mg m-3) and had an affinity for the frontal regions between cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies.

North Atlantic warming over six decades drives decreases in krill abundance with no associated range shift

In the North Atlantic, euphausiids (krill) form a major link between primary production and predators including commercially exploited fish. This basin is warming very rapidly, with species expected to shift northwards following their thermal tolerances. Here we show, however, that there has been a 50% decline in surface krill abundance over the last 60 years that occurred in situ, with no associated range shift. While we relate these changes to the warming climate, our study is the first to document an in situ squeeze on living space within this system. The warmer isotherms are shifting measurably northwards but cooler isotherms have remained relatively static, stalled by the subpolar fronts in the NW Atlantic. Consequently the two temperatures defining the core of krill distribution (7–13 °C) were 8° of latitude apart 60 years ago but are presently only 4° apart. Over the 60 year period the core latitudinal distribution of euphausiids has remained relatively stable so a ‘habitat squeeze’, with loss of 4° of latitude in living space, could explain the decline in krill. This highlights that, as the temperature warms, not all species can track isotherms and shift northward at the same rate with both losers and winners emerging under the ‘Atlantification’ of the sub-Arctic.

Euphausiids (Euphausiacea) off Malpelo Island, Colombian Eastern Tropical Pacific

Euphausiids migrate vertically in the water column as part of their diel cycle. These migrations make them a key element in the biological pump of the pelagic environment. We took stratified zooplankton samples (0-50, 50-100, and 100-150 m) during the Pacífico-ERFEN campaign in September 2012 to evaluate the vertical distribution of euphausiids around Malpelo Island (3.8 - 4.2 N, 81.4 - 81.8 W). A total of 10 species belonging to four genera were identified. Euphausia diomedeae was the most abundant species in the 0-50 and 100-150 m layers, whereas E. distinguenda was the most abundant species in the 50-100 m layer. Based on quasi-Poisson generalized linear distribution models we found that abundance in the 50-100 m layer was significantly higher than in the 100-150 m layer (t = 3.05, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences associated with sampling hour (diurnal/nocturnal) (t = 0.07, p = 0.94). We calculated a vertical distribution index (VDI) based on abundance, which showed that euphausiid species were concentrated in the 50-100 m layer during day and night. Calyptopis larvae dominated in abundance at all depth layers, followed by furcilia larvae, juveniles and adults. The abundance of the latter increased gradually from the most superficial layer to the deepest layer, whereas juveniles showed the opposite pattern. This is the first study to describe the taxonomic composition, and vertical and spatial distribution of euphausiids associated with Malpelo Island, Colombian Pacific.

Euphausiacea diversity in a trans-oceanic transect through the South Atlantic Ocean: the first Atlantic record of Thysanopoda astylata Brinton, 1975.

Information about euphausiids in central South Atlantic Ocean is scarce; hence, we investigated species composition and distribution of euphausiids along a longitudinal transect in this region, with an emphasis on Thysanopoda. Zooplankton samples were collected from 44 stations during the first Transatlantic Commission (Brazil-Africa). Euphausiids comprised 21,390 individuals across larval stages (nauplius, calyptopis, and furcilia) and adults. Furcilia and adults were classified to species level when possible, with a total of 19 identified species. Overall, Euphausia species frequency of occurrence and abundance were highest in samples collected near the African coast, while Thysanopada species dominated near the Brazilian coast. Of the euphausiids caught, 158 were identified as Thysanopoda, including 2 specimens of T. astylata, 6 T. aequalis, 3 T. pectinata, 2 T. monacantha, 2 T. tricuspida, and 1 T. egregia; 118 damaged specimens could only be identified as Thysanopoda spp., and 24 as T. aequalis / T. astylata complex because of the lack of diagnostic structures. Thysanopada egregia was present in samples collected down to 96 m, which increases the vertical range for this species. This report constitutes the first record of Thysanopoda astylata Brinton, 1975 in Atlantic waters.

The euphausiid prey field for blue whales around a steep bathymetric feature in the southern California current system

AbstractEuphausiids are important prey for many marine organisms and often occur in patchy aggregations. Euphausiid predators, such as blue whales, may become concentrated in the vicinity of these aggregations. We investigated an area called Nine Mile Bank (NMB) near San Diego, California, defined by an area of steep bathymetry, to determine whether the frequent whale sightings in that locality can be explained by the distribution of euphausiids across the bank and by the vertical distribution of euphausiids in the water column. Thysanoessa spinifera, the strongly preferred blue whale prey euphausiid in this area, was consistently more abundant on the bank or inshore of it than offshore. In contrast, Euphausia pacifica, a minor blue whale prey item, was much more abundant and distributed across the study region. Adults of both species were concentrated in a stratum corresponding to the feeding depth of blue whales. Other euphausiids that form a negligible part of the blue whale diet also showed no association with NMB. Both blue whales and their primary prey species Thysanoessa spinifera were more abundant on or inshore of the bank than offshore, suggesting that the bank may serve as an offshore limit of high prey abundance that helps to concentrate blue whales.

Drivers of euphausiid distribution and abundance in the Northeast U.S. Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem

AbstractEuphausiids, or krill, often dominate the biomass of zooplankton communities in high latitude marine ecosystems and are recognized as a key component of food webs. Compared to other ecosystems, however, there is scant information regarding the broad-scale distribution of euphausiids in the Northeast U.S. Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem (NEUS-LME). Using long-term (1977–2011) zooplankton survey data, we examine the drivers of the broad-scale spatial distribution and inter-annual variability in euphausiid abundance throughout the entire NEUS-LME. Our results show strong seasonal patterns in both the abundance and spatial distribution of euphausiids, which were commonly associated with waters exceeding 100 m, the continental shelf break (SB), and warmer and more saline bottom waters. Inter-annual patterns in euphausiid abundance were positively correlated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and bottom salinity, and inter-annual variation was most conspicuous at the outer continental shelf and SB. Assemblage analyses indicated that Euphausia krohnii, Thysanoessa gregaria, T. longicaudata, and Nematoscelis megalops dominated in waters associated with the outer shelf and SB, while Meganyctiphanes norvegica was more important in the Gulf of Maine. These results improve our understanding of the distribution and abundance of euphausiids and provide important information for effective ecosystem-based fisheries management for the NEUS-LME.

Specific Composition and Distribution of Euphausiids in the Zone of the North Atlantic Subtropical Convergence

The euphausiid community was studied between the surface and upper bathypelagics northeast of the Azores Islands (46°–37° N, 14°–29° W) during the hydrological summer (August to September) of 1984 using a midwater trawl. In total, 11 species of euphausiids were identified. The two most common species, Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Thysanopoda acutifrons, were found in 43.8 and 40.8% of the samples, respectively. In terms of biomass, M. norvegica dominated the catches, its densities reaching up to 160 kg per trawling hour. The region is dominated by North Atlantic arctic–boreal and boreal species, followed by pan-oceanic meso- and bathypelagic, as well as tropical–subtropical and widespread tropical euphausiid species. The study area, which is situated in the zone of the Atlantic subtropical convergence, is subjected to seasonal migrations of the Subpolar Frontal system. Owing to this, a quasi-stationary ecotone is established, where arctic–boreal species are spatially replaced first by tropical–subtropical and then by widespread tropical elements. There are grounds to believe that the quasi-stationary ecotone lasts both for many years and from season to season. In the latter case, seasonal succession of species takes place, but the ecological structure of the ecotone remains almost constant.

Use of acoustic estimates of euphausiid biomass in trophic dynamics and ecosystem models of the Georges Bank/Gulf of Maine Region from 1999 to 2012

Euphausiids are a key link between primary production and higher-level predators in the Gulf of Maine, but are not well sampled during standard fisheries surveys. Multifrequency acoustic data may provide useful estimates of euphausiid distribution and biomass, as long as automated classification of acoustic backscatter is reliable and robust. Estimates of euphausiid biomass in the Georges Bank region of the Gulf of Maine were derived from annual acoustic/midwater trawl surveys from 1999 through 2012. Acoustic data were collected continuously with Simrad EK500 and EK60 echo sounders operating at 18, 38, and 120 kHz. Four different methods were used to classify euphausiids from the acoustic data: multifrequency single beam imaging, “dB-differencing” of 120- and 38-kHz volume backscatter, multifrequency z-score, and a multifrequency index. Scattering model predictions of euphausiid target strength and biological metrics were used to scale acoustic data to biomass for each classification method. Biomass estim...

Vertical pelagic habitat of euphausiid species assemblages in the Gulf of California

We describe the seasonal changes in the horizontal and vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiid species associated with seven physical and 61 biological variables in the Gulf of California (24–31°N). Euphausiid community structure was explored in the epipelagic habitat (<200m) in January, July, and October 2007 and in epipelagic to bathypelagic habitats (<1400m depth) in May 2015. Twelve euphausiid species comprising two distinct regional assemblages were identified. Nyctiphanes simplex and Nematoscelis difficilis were the most abundant species (>90%) in all cruises carried out in the 26–31°N region and Euphausia distinguenda in the 24–26°N region (mostly in October >90%). We confirmed that Euphausia gibboides and Nematobrachion flexipes inhabit the mesopelagic habitat, adapted to <1ml O2 l–1 environmental condition. Although Euphausia lamelligera and N. simplex populations were concentrated in well-oxygenated water (>3ml O2 l–1) near the surface (<50m), they were also detected in low densities in the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat (250–800m), but only at oxygen levels less than 0.09ml O2 l–1. Stylocheiron affine and Stylocheiron carinatum were numerous well below the seasonal thermocline (100–350m). Nematoscelis difficilis and N. simplex extended into the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat, but at low densities. Multivariate analyses showed six seasonal and regional krill assemblages, which are characterized by different species (Similarity percentage analysis). Canonical Correspondence Analysis show that, of 68 variables, three abiotic factors (temperature, dissolved oxygen, and OMZ depth) and eight biotic factors (accessory pigments; zeaxanthin and 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin, and the abundance of six copepod species; Candacia pectinata, Canthocalanus pauper, Centropages furcatus, Rhincalanus nasutus, Scolecithrix danae, and Temora discaudata), were the most influential variables associated with the vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiids. Krill‒copepod (predator–prey) relationships may be important determinants of daily and seasonal vertical distribution patterns. We conclude that the euphausiid vertical habitat reaches down to 900m depth (with historical records of six species collected between 1000 and 2280m) but with lower diversity and abundance in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic habitats than in the epipelagic habitat.

Spatial distributions of euphausiid species in the Northern Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica during the austral summer in 2005 and 2006

Understanding the ecology of euphausiids, especially Euphausia superba, is essential for understanding the Southern Ocean ecosystem. To determine the distribution and community structure of euphausiids in north Lützow-Holm Bay, we used stratified and quantitative sampling from the surface to a depth of 2000 m with an RMT 8 net in January of 2005 and 2006. Euphausiid abundance ranged from 1.2 to 32.2 ind. m−2, with Thysanoessa macrura and E. superba being dominant, whereas E. triacantha and E. crystallorophias were very scarce. T. macrura was abundant in cold epipelagic waters as well as in the warmer Modified Circumpolar Deep Water (MCDW). E. crystallorophias was also observed in both the cold waters and the MCDW. The juveniles, adult males, and gravid and spent females (IIIC–E) of E. superba were observed in the warm MCDW, which supports the possibility of deep water spawning, as suggested by previous studies. The E. superba population in 2005 was composed of large, mature individuals, whereas small, immature specimens were dominant in 2006. A higher chlorophyll a concentration in 2005, resulting from earlier sea ice retreat, may have advanced the maturity of E. superba.

Quantitative distribution and feeding of euphausiids in the Okhotsk Sea

Euphausia in the Okhotsk Sea is one of the most abundant groups of zooplankton, its portion in the total zooplankton biomass in the epipelagic layer is 25.4-37.4 %, depending on season, the total stock is 83.2 · 10 6 t in spring, 66.3 · 10 6 t in summer, 57.4 · 10 6 t in autumn, and 73.3 · 10 6 t in winter (mean assessments for 1986-2012). The highest biomass is observed in spring - 369 mg/m 3 , on average, and the minimum one in autumn - 256 mg/m 3 , on average. Two species, Thysanoessa raschii and Thysanoessa longipes , are the most abundant. Year-to-year fluctuations of Euphausia abundance are prominent: up to 5 times, but it never causes any catastrophic change in their populations. Sharp declines usually are followed by sharp rises in their number. Mean daily ration of euphausiid in the Okhotsk Sea is 7.5-8.5 % of the body weight. Annually they consume 2012.7 · 10 6 t of prey, including 1636.5 · 10 6 t of phytoplankton and 341.8 · 10 6 t of micro-heterotrophs. About 11.4 % of the annual production of phytoplankton and 26.0 % of the annual production of micro-heterotrophs are grazed by euphausiids.

Influence of the Leeuwin Current on the epipelagic euphausiid assemblages of the south-east Indian Ocean

The Leeuwin Current is an anomalous eastern boundary current which transports warm, low salinity water poleward off Western Australia. This study investigated epipelagic euphausiids in the Leeuwin Current system from 22°S to 34°S focusing on the latitudinal gradient in species richness and whether variability in euphausiid assemblages was associated with an increase in seawater density across latitude. Twenty-eight species of euphausiids (including five new records) were identified from the study area. Species richness remained relatively constant across latitude as the distribution of seven tropical species, including the dominant Pseudeuphausia latifrons, extended south of 30°S. Euphausiid assemblages from the northern shelf stations were distinct from the oceanic, shelf break and southern shelf assemblages which, though clustering together, showed evidence of latitudinal shifts and day/night influence, particularly at oceanic stations. Distance-based linear models confirmed that, of the environmental variables examined, mean seawater density was the only significant explanatory variable accounting for 32, 27 and 71% of the variation for shelf, shelf break and night oceanic assemblages, respectively. This study provides the first account of the diversity, distribution and abundance of euphausiids along the entire western seaboard of Australia and enhances understanding of the influence of the Leeuwin Current on holoplanktonic biota.

The Barents Sea euphausiids: methodological aspects of monitoring and estimation of abundance and biomass

Abstract Sampling of euphausiids is difficult because of their intermediate size between macrozooplankton and micronekton. The Barents Sea is one of the few marine areas where there have been long-term studies of euphausiids. We have examined three monitoring datasets on euphausiids and consider likely sources of errors associated with the sampling. Results indicated a high degree of patchiness in the distribution of euphausiids, even at the largest scale of sampling with a pelagic trawl. This indicates that euphausiids may occur in large, but infrequent, swarms that have a low probability of being sampled by small nets. The mean biomass of euphausiids sampled with MOCNESS was 2 g wet weight m−2 integrated over the water column, which is an underestimate due to avoidance of large individuals. The mean biomass obtained with pelagic trawl in the upper 60 m of water at night during an autumn survey was 10 g wet weight m−2. The plankton net on bottom trawl collected mean and median density of euphausiids (0.1–0.2 g wet weight m−3) near bottom during a winter survey similar to the values found with pelagic trawl in the upper layer during autumn. The mean density for the autumn survey showed an increase from 2000 to 2011, while the winter survey showed generally a decrease from 2000–2007 to 2011. The increase in the autumn series coincided with a general warming trend presumably with a larger influx of euphausiids with Atlantic water, notably of Meganyctiphanes norvegica. In contrast, the decline during winter may reflect a decrease, particularly of Thysanoessa raschii in the southeastern Barents Sea in the most recent years. Improvements in sampling gears combined with more and better use of acoustical and optical technologies offer great promise for improved monitoring and quantification of the roles of euphausiids in the Barents Sea ecosystem.

Spatio-temporal distribution of euphausiids: an important component to understanding ecosystem processes in the Gulf of Alaska and eastern Bering Sea

Abstract Euphausiids (principally Thysanoessa spp.) are found in high abundance in both the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) and the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). They are an important part of these cold-water coastal and pelagic ecosystems as a key prey item for many species, including marine mammals, seabirds, and fish, forming an ecological link between primary production and higher trophic levels. Acoustic-trawl (AT) survey methods provide a means of monitoring euphausiid abundance and distribution over a large spatial scale. Four years of AT and bottom-trawl survey data (2003, 2005, 2011, and 2013) were available from consistently sampled areas around Kodiak Island, including Shelikof Strait, Barnabas Trough, and Chiniak Trough. We identified euphausiid backscatter using relative frequency response and targeted trawling, and created an annual index of abundance for euphausiids. This index has broad application, including use in the stock assessments for GOA walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) and other species, as an ecosystem indicator, and to inform ecological research. We then used generalized additive models (GAMs) to examine the relationship between relative euphausiid abundance and potential predictors, including pollock abundance, temperature, bottom depth, and primary production. Model results were compared with an updated GAM of euphausiid abundance from the EBS to determine if the factors driving abundance and distribution were consistent between both systems. Temperature was not a strong predictor of euphausiid abundance in the GOA as in the EBS; warmer temperatures and lack of seasonal ice cover in the GOA may be a key difference between these ecosystems. Pollock abundance was significant in both the GOA and the EBS models, but was not a strongly negative predictor of euphausiid abundance in either system, a result not consistent with top-down control of euphausiid abundance.

Distribution and abundance of euphausiids and pelagic amphipods in Kongsfjorden, Isfjorden and Rijpfjorden (Svalbard) and changes in their relative importance as key prey in a warming marine ecosystem

Euphausiid (krill) and amphipod dynamics were studied during 2006–2011 by use of plankton nets in Kongsfjorden (79°N) and adjacent waters, also including limited sampling in Isfjorden (78°N) and Rijpfjorden (80°N). The objectives of the study were to assess how variations in physical characteristics across fjord systems affect the distribution and abundance of euphausiids and amphipods and the potential for these macrozooplankton species to reproduce in these waters. The abundances of euphausiids and amphipods were higher in Kongsfjorden than in Rijpfjorden and Isfjorden, and the highest abundances were observed at the innermost stations of Kongsfjorden, where Thysanoessa inermis and Themisto libellula dominated. The Atlantic species Thysanoessa longicaudata, Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Themisto abyssorum dominated at the outside Kongsfjorden. Inter-annual and seasonal variability in abundances of euphausiids and amphipods were evident. The presence of ripe euphausiids outside Kongsfjorden indicates that they may reproduce in these areas. Mature individuals of T. abyssorum were recorded mainly outside Kongsfjorden, whereas no mature or ripe T. libellula were present in both the inner and outer parts of this fjord. If the warming trend persists, as seen during the last decade, this would favour the Atlantic/boreal euphausiid species, while Arctic species, such as the amphipod T. libellula, may decline. Euphausiids and amphipods are major food of capelin (Mallotus villosus) and polar cod (Boreogadus saida), respectively, in this region, and changes in prey abundance will likely have an impact on the feeding dynamics of these important fish species.

Near-bottom zooplankton aggregations in Kongsfjorden: implications for pelago–benthic coupling

Near-bottom zooplankton communities have rarely been studied despite numerous reports of high zooplankton concentrations, probably due to methodological constraints. In Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, the near-bottom layer was studied for the first time by combining daytime deployments of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the optical zooplankton sensor moored on-sight key species investigation (MOKI), and Tucker trawl sampling. ROV data from the fjord entrance and the inner fjord showed high near-bottom abundances of euphausiids with a mean concentration of 17.3 ± 3.5 n × 100 m−3. With the MOKI system, we observed varying numbers of euphausiids, amphipods, chaetognaths, and copepods on the seafloor at six stations. Light-induced zooplankton swarms reached densities in the order of 90,000 (euphausiids), 120,000 (amphipods), and 470,000 ind m−3 (chaetognaths), whereas older copepodids of Calanus hyperboreus and C. glacialis did not respond to light. They were abundant at the seafloor and 5 and 15 m above and showed maximum abundance of 65,000 ind m−3. Tucker trawl data provided an overview of the seasonal vertical distribution of euphausiids. The most abundant species Thysanoessa inermis reached near-bottom concentrations of 270 ind m−3. Regional distribution was neither related to depth nor to location in the fjord. The taxa observed were all part of the pelagic community. Our observations suggest the presence of near-bottom macrozooplankton also in other regions and challenge the current view of bentho–pelagic coupling. Neglecting this community may cause severe underestimates of the stock of pelagic zooplankton, especially predatory species, which link secondary production with higher trophic levels.

Acoustic surveys of euphausiids and models of baleen whale distribution in the Barents Sea

As in many high-latitude ecosystems, euphausiids (order Euphausiacea, 'krill') play a key role in the Barents Sea by channeling energy from primary producers to fish and other zoo- plankton predators. We used multifrequency acoustic data from several recent multidisciplinary surveys to describe the spatial distribution of backscatter likely to be from euphausiids. Spatial patterns in euphausiid backscatter observed in 2010, 2011, and 2012 were correlated with verti- cally integrated euphausiid biomass collected with plankton nets, and were also broadly consis- tent with the distribution of euphausiids expected from the literature. We used the high-resolution and broad-spatial coverage of our euphausiid backscatter data to update multiple regression models of baleen (fin, humpback, and minke) whale distribution to test the hypothesis that these animals aggregated where euphausiids were abundant. After controlling for physical environ- mental factors and the densities of capelin and several other potential prey taxa, we found that fin whale densities were positively and linearly associated with euphausiid backscatter, and higher than average densities of humpback whales were found in areas with high euphausiid back - scatter. No association was found between minke whales and euphausiids. Densities of all 3 whale species were also positively associated with capelin. For fin and humpback whales, the effects of capelin and euphausiids on whale densities appeared to be principally separate and additive, although there was some evidence for a stronger effect of euphausiids at low capelin densities. In terms of their preference for euphausiids and capelin, these whale species appeared to be flexible, opportunistic predators.

Distribution, abundance, and feeding ecology of baleen whales in Icelandic waters: have recent environmental changes had an effect?

The location of Iceland at the junction of submarine ridges in the North-East Atlantic where warm and cold water masses meet south of the Arctic Circle contributes to high productivity of the waters around the island. During the last two decades, substantial increases in sea temperature and salinity have been reported. Concurrently, pronounced changes have occurred in the distribution of several fish species and euphausiids. The distribution and abundance of cetaceans in the Central and Eastern North Atlantic have been monitored regularly since 1987. Significant changes in the distribution and abundance of several cetacean species have occurred in this time period. The abundance of Central North Atlantic humpback and fin whales has increased from 1,800 to 11,600 and 15,200 to 20,600, respectively, in the period 1987-2007. In contrast, the abundance of minke whales on the Icelandic continental shelf decreased from around 44,000 in 2001 to 20,000 in 2007 and 10,000 in 2009. The increase in fin whale abundance was accompanied by expansion of distribution into the deep waters of the Irminger Sea. The distribution of the endangered blue whale has shifted northwards in this period. The habitat selection of fin whales was analyzed with respect to physical variables (temperature, depth, salinity) using a generalized additive model, and the results suggest that abundance was influenced by an interaction between the physical variables depth and distance to the 2000m isobaths, but also by sea surface temperature and sea surface height, However, environmental data generally act as proxies of other variables, to which the whales respond directly. Overall, these changes in cetacean distribution and abundance may be a functional feeding response of the cetacean species to physical and biological changes in the marine environment, including decreased abundance of euphausiids, a northward shift in summer distribution of capelin and a crash in the abundance of sand eel.

The spatial distribution of euphausiids and walleye pollock in the eastern Bering Sea does not imply top-down control by predation

Although euphausiids of the genus Thysanoessa ('krill') are a key zooplankton taxon in the Bering Sea ecosystem, the processes controlling variation in the standing stock of these animals are not well understood. Both forcing by temperature ('bottom-up') and predation ('top- down') have been proposed. If strong top-down forcing were present, a negative relationship would be expected between the standing stock of euphausiids and that of walleye pollock Gadus chalcogrammus, their single most important predator in the Bering Sea. We developed multiple regression models using survey data collected over several years to test the hypothesis of a negative relationship between local (mesoscale) densities of these animals. We used the models to evaluate the relative importance of pollock biomass and water temperature in predicting euphau- siid biomass, and found that temperature was a far better predictor, a result that is not consistent with dominant top-down control of euphausiids by pollock predation.