Oithona Similis Research Articles

Zooplankton vertical stratification in the East-pacific and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean

IntroductionIn the Southern Ocean, the large-scale distribution of zooplankton, including their abundance and community composition from the epipelagic to the upper bathypelagic layers, remains poorly understood. This gap in knowledge limits our comprehension of their ecological and biogeochemical roles.MethodsTo better understand their community structure, depth-stratified zooplankton samples were collected from 0 to 1500 m during four summers in the East-Pacific and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean. In addition, analysis of environmental drivers including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll a concentration, as well as water masses was conducted.ResultsOur study indicates that zooplankton diversity may be similar between the two sectors, while zooplankton abundance was higher in the East-Pacific sector during different sampling months and years. Moreover, zooplankton abundance decreased with depth in both sectors. Based on cluster analysis, zooplankton communities were generally divided by either the epipelagic or the deeper layers’ communities. In both sectors, the epipelagic layer was dominated by cyclopoid copepods, such as Oithona similis and Oncaea curvata, as well as calanoid copepods including Calanoides acutus, Rhincalanus gigas, and Ctenocalanus citer, while copepods and other taxa including Chaetognatha, Amphipoda, and Ostracoda, were important contributors to the deep layer communities.DiscussionOur analysis revealed that water masses, combined with their physical characteristics such as specific temperature and salinity ranges and depth, along with biological factors such as chlorophyll a concentration, might be the most important drivers for structuring zooplankton communities from epipelagic to upper bathypelagic layer.

Biodiversity and functioning of mesozooplankton in a changing Ross Sea

Literature on Ross Sea zooplankton is limited, although it is the most productive system and has the highest biomass of phytoplankton in the Southern Ocean. Energy transfer within the food web and response of continental shelf food web to climate change depend on the knowledge of the density and distribution of zooplankton. We evaluated its density, composition, spatial distribution and their potential relations with environmental factors and specific water mass presence. Particular attention was given to copepods. Mesozooplankton samples were collected between 14 January and February 11, 2017 from 14 stations in the western Ross Sea and Terra Nova Bay, while other micronekton samplings were completed at 6 stations. Results highlighted three pools of stations: one inside Terra Nova Bay with the highest densities, one on the platform with lower mean density, and the third represented by a N–S transept at 175°E with the lowest mean density. This partitioning of the region fit with the grouping of stations according to a ternary plot based on the different percentages of water masses in each station and reflected the similarity of zooplankton. The presence of specific water masses and their contribution in the upper 200 m influences zooplankton biodiversity and density. A phylogenetic tree of the zooplankton was constructed to analyse the distance among the observed taxa. The area located near the coast exhibited the highest degree of phylogenetic overdispersion. In coastal waters, typical copepod species constituted the main part of the neritic zooplankton of Terra Nova Bay and Ross Sea. Oithona similis was the most abundant species both in coastal and offshore sectors, followed by pteropods, polychaetes and euphausiids.

A preliminary checklist of Copepoda in the mangrove areas of Munroe Island, adjacent to Ashtamudi estuary, Kerala, India

The present investigation was conducted to assess the species composition of Copepoda in Munroe Island from October 2020 to September 2022. As the information about the species composition of Copepoda is scarce in the mangrove habitats of the southern part of Kerala, their appraisal assumes greater significance. Copepod samples collected from the mangrove habitats of Munroe Island of Kerala (southern India) revealed 31 species belonging to 18 genera and 15 families. The order Calanoida was recognized as the most dominant taxa with 23 species, followed by Harpacticoida (five species) and Cyclopoida (three species). Among the 15 families encountered, Acartiidae, Centropagidae, Harpacticidae, Paracalanidae and Pseudodiaptomidae were the most diverse. Species such as Acartia bilobata, Paracalanus parvus, Pseudodiaptomus aurivillii, Pseudocalanus elongatus, Microsetella norvegica, and Oithona similis were found to be perennial. The investigation calls for intensive copepod surveys to reveal their ecology and diversity in the hitherto less-studied region in southern India.

Spatio-temporal distribution of copepods in the mangrove areas of Munroe Island, adjacent to Ashtamudi estuary, Kerala, India

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to assess the species composition of copepods around Munroe Island of Kerala (South India) from October 2020 to September 2022. Copepod samples collected from the mangrove habitats around Munroe Island revealed 31 species belonging to 18 genera and 15 families. The order Calanoida was recognized as the most dominant taxon, with 23 species, followed by Harpacticoida (5 spp.) and Cyclopoida (3 spp.). Spatially, sampling station 3 (Palliyanthuruthu) had the highest species richness (28 spp.); in contrast, the lowest species richness was found at sampling station 1 (Villimangalam, 13 spp.). When exploring the seasonal effects on copepod richness it was found that the highest species richness was seen in the post-monsoon season (31 spp.) followed by the pre-monsoon season (29 spp.), while the least diversity was found during the monsoon season (28 spp.). Species such as Acartia bilobata, Paracalanus parvus, Pseudodiaptomus aurivillii, Pseudocalanus elongatus, Microsetella norvegica, and Oithona similis were found to be perennial in nature. The investigation calls for intensive surveys of copepods to reveal their ecology and diversity in the hitherto less studied region in South India.

Spatio-temporal variation of mesozooplankton in the northern coastal waters of Bay of Bengal

Mesozooplankton (MSP) are significant primary and secondary consumers in aquatic ecosystems that influence biogeochemical cycles and are considered important bioindicators of ecosystem functioning. Data on the spatio-temporal variability of the MSP population from the estuarine and coastal waters of northwestern Bay of Bengal (BoB) is scarce. The present study is the first detailed investigation on the spatio-temporal dynamics of MSP along the estuarine and coastal waters of northwestern BoB from two contrasting seasons over a period of three years based on univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. The crucial drivers for spatio-temporal variability in the MSP community were water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, nutrient (nitrate, phosphate, silicate) concentrations, and Chlorophyll (Chl) a concentration. The highest mean MSP abundance was obtained during summer monsoon (SM). The results of this study state that there is a significant seasonal difference in the hydrographical parameters that change the community dynamics of MSP inhabiting the estuarine and coastal waters of BoB. The MSP species assemblages during winter monsoon (WM) were governed by high salinity and DO levels while those during SM were associated with high water temperature, nutrients, and Chl a concentration. A clear seasonal shift from the gelatinous community in WM to the crustacean community in SM was documented. A total of 172 MSP species were identified during WM, and 200 MSP species during SM, with 37 species being exclusively detected during WM and 65 species being exclusively recorded during SM. The most abundant species during WM were Chrysaora caliparea, Cyanea nozakii, Sagitta bipunctata, Pleurobrachia pileus, and Acromitus flagellatus to name a few and those during SM consisted of Undinula vulgaris, Acartia (Odontacartia) spinicauda, Oithona simplex, Oithona similis, and Oncaea venusta. Copepoda was the most dominant taxa during all sampling seasons, while ichthyoplankton and meroplankton fauna were low during WM and comparatively higher during SM, indicating the top-down control of their population by gelatinous taxa. Biodiversity indices reflected well to excellent diversity patterns of MSP. In the current scenario of global warming and climate change, our research highlights the need for comprehensive long-term monitoring of estuarine and coastal waters of western BoB, which harbour a rich marine faunal diversity, to identify the bioindicators of seasonal variability among major MSP groups.

Plankton in the Gulf of Alaska and its contribution to feeding of pacific salmons in spring of 2020

Results of the plankton survey conducted in the Gulf of Alaska, including EEZ of Canada, aboard RV Pacific Legacy No. 1 in March-April of 2020 are presented. The samples of plankton were collected in regular grid of stations and processed according to the methodologies adopted in TINRO. The mean total biomass of zooplankton was estimated as 301.9 mg/m3 , of phytoplankton — as 41.9 mg/m3 . The large-sized fraction of zooplankton dominated (on average 214.6 mg/m3 , or 71 % of the total biomass), the portions of the smalland medium-sized fractions were 16 % and 13 %, respectively. Because of spring blooming development, both phyto- and zooplankton biomasses were increased southward from 3.2 and 188.3 mg/m3 in the northern area of the gulf to 87.9–34.6 and 305.4–397.7 mg/m3 in its central and southern areas, on average. The biomass of small- and medium-sized fractions (presented by copepods Pseudocalanus, Oithona similis, eggs and nauplii of copepods, copepodites, juvenile pteropods, hyperiids and euphausiids, and larvae of siphonophore) had slightly increased in the southern area to 50–60 and 35–38 mg/m3 , respectively, whereas the biomass of largesized fraction presented mainly by copepods (49 %) and arrowworms (36 %) had increased from 118.9 mg/m3 in the north to 293.6 mg/m3 in the south. Boreal species, as Neocalanus cristatus, N. plumchrus/N. flemingeri, Eucalanus bungii, and Metridia pacifica dominated in the zooplankton biomass.The total stock of zooplankton in the Gulf of Alaska in March-April of 2020 was amounted in 39798 . 103 t that was higher than in February-March of 2019 (25517 . 103 t), obviously because of the spring bloom beginning. Correspondingly, distribution density of phyto- and zooplankton was 8.5 and 61.4 t/km2 in March-April of 2020 against 1.0 and 36.6 t/km2 in February-March of 2019. The largest increasing was noted for the small-sized fraction (in 2 times, to 9.7 t/km2 ) and medium-sized fraction (in 4 times, to 8.0 t/km2 ), whereas the increasing for large-sized animals was moderate — from 31.0 t/km2 in 2019 to 43.6 t/km2 in 2020, and the density of euphausiids did not increase (0.8 t/km2 in both years for Euphasia pacifica). The total stock of large-sized fraction had increased from 21650 . 103 t in 2019 to 28920 . 103 t in 2020.The diet of pacific salmon corresponded with the species composition and biomass of the large-sized fraction of zooplankton, with predominance of euphausiids, pteropods, jellyfish, hyperiids, and oikopleura. The main consumers were the most abundant fish groups, as chum salmon with size of 35–60 cm and coho salmon of 30–50 cm found mainly in the central and southern areas of the gulf. E. pacifica were the favorite prey for all salmon species (67–80 % of food weight), except coho salmon — this species preferred squids (77.6 %). Monthly grazing of zooplankton by salmons in the Gulf of Alaska is estimated as 30.175 . 103 tons that is an insignificant portion of its large-sized fraction stock, so the feeding conditions during the survey are considered as favorable for pacific salmons. However, the consumption is possibly underestimated because of low biomass of consumers in the winter-spring season. Spatial and temporal variations of fish aggregations driven by variability of water temperature and other abiotic factors should be accounted for adequate evaluation of the feeding conditions.

Trophic variability of inter- and intra-copepod species in the South Sea of Korea during summer

Spatial variation and interspecies differences in the trophic position (TP) of copepods were investigated using nitrogen isotope ratios of amino acids. In the summer of 2021, coastal waters and the Changjiang diluted water generated clear seawater temperature and salinity fronts in the South Sea of Korea. Paracalanus parvus s. l. was a dominant species in the copepod community, and the second dominant species differed among inshore, intermediate, and offshore sites. The TP of each copepod species was estimated in two ways, considering only metazoan diets (TPGlu, based on glutamic acid and phenylalanine nitrogen isotope ratios) and both metazoan and protistan diets (TPAla, based on alanine and phenylalanine nitrogen isotope ratios). Both TPGlu and TPAla indicated trophic variability among copepod species and the contribution of protistan diets as a food source in the study area. Calanus sinicus showed a similar herbivorous TP of 2.0 in both TPGlu and TPAla, suggesting little contribution from protistan diets. Two copepod species (P. parvus s. l. and Acartia omorii) exhibited TPGlu values of approximately 2.0 but their TPAla values increased from 0.1 to 0.5, indicating mixed diets of both primary producers and protists. The other three copepods (Pseudocalanus sp., Oithona similis, and O. atlantica) showed a wide range in TPGlu (2.4–3.1) and TPAla (2.7–3.4), suggesting that protistan trophic transfers enhance TPAla (by up to 0.5) in omnivorous copepods. We found a spatial variation in the TPs of copepods among water masses by various controlling factors including surface seawater temperature, salinity, and size-fractionated Chl-a. Our findings support that the TP values could be potential indicative of interspecies variability, providing useful information on the composition of the planktonic food web.

Ectopleura crocea (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) Identified as a Predator of Pelagic Fish Eggs through Cytochrome c Oxidase I Metabarcoding

Fish eggs have a wide range of predators. However, observing these predators is challenging, as is identifying fish eggs based on morphological traits. In this study, we observed hydroids, which are sessile organisms, consuming pelagic fish eggs. We conducted cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) metabarcoding to identify both the predator and the prey species. Massive COI reads were de novo assembled and nine representative sequences were constructed. The predator, identified from the representative sequences and its morphological features, was determined as Ectopleura crocea. The fish eggs that had been preyed upon belonged to two species: Sillago japonica and Parajulis poecilepterus. Additionally, four arthropod species (Labidocera rotunda, Oithona similis, Paracalanus parvus, and Pseudevadne tergestina) were consumed, and their morphological traits could not be observed, due to digestion. COI metabarcoding was an effective tool for studying the feeding activity of these small predators.

Variations in copepod composition and diversity in relation to eutrophication and hydrology in İzmir Bay, Aegean Sea

Hyrographic and trophic gradient along Izmir Bay used to assess their effects on the copepod composition and diversity. Trophic state of the bay varied from oligotrophic in the outer region to hypertrophic condition in the inner region as stated by trophic index (TRIX). Aegean Sea water entrance and trophic conditions of the bay affected species assemblages. Oithona davisae, Oithona nana and Acartia clausi were associated with hyper-eutrophic conditions whereas the typical Aegean Sea species, such as Oncaea media group, Oithona similis, Paracalanus parvus, A. clausi, Farranula rostrata and Calocalanus styliremis were related to oligotrophic condition. Copepod diversity indices decreased linearly along the trophic gradient, from oligotrophic to hyper-eutrophic conditions, highlighting the substantial impact of eutrophication on the copepod community structure in the inner region. These findings emphasize TRIX's value in assessing eutrophication in anthropized systems, and immense potential for using copepod composition and diversity in monitoring programs for ecological assessments studies.

Marine copepod assemblages in the Arctic: The effect of frontal zones on biomass and productivity

The Barents Sea, as the largest Arctic shelf region with high productivity, supports vital commercial fisheries. The region's ecosystem is significantly impacted by both warm Atlantic Water (AW) and cold Arctic Water (ARW), resulting in frontal zones that delineate differing water masses. Zooplankton populations serve as the primary link between primary producers and higher trophic levels. To evaluate the potential influence of frontal zones on copepods, we conducted a summer survey focusing on sites where diverse water masses interacted. Our findings revealed that species richness, diversity, biomass, and daily production of common copepods were highest in the Polar Front, separating AW and ARW, as well as in the eastern frontal zones (Barents Sea Water and Novaya Zemlya Coastal Water). Herbivorous copepods, such as Calanus spp. and Pseudocalanus spp., dominated in terms of total copepod biomass and production, whereas the small omnivore Oithona similis prevailed by abundance. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a strong correspondence between frontal zones and copepod assemblages. The primary factors explaining spatial variations in copepod biomass and production included the geographic positions of sampling stations, depth, and chlorophyll a concentration. Our research underscores the significance of oceanographic fronts as zones of critical importance for overall pelagic productivity in Arctic regions.

Effect of Water Circulation on the Distribution of Zooplankton in the Southern Waters of Peninsular Malaysia

The waters of Peninsular Malaysia located between the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca are greatly influenced by two different monsoons: the Southwest Monsoon (SW) and the Northeast Monsoon (NE). Zooplankton are known to be receptive to any environmental changes. Apart from biotic and abiotic changes, the movement of water currents also has an impact on the distribution and composition of zooplankton, as this group is considered a passive swimmer that is dependent on the movement of water currents. This study was conducted to determine the effect of water movement in the southern waters of Peninsular Malaysia on the distribution of zooplankton. Sampling was done in three main areas: Kukup, Pengerang, and Pulau Besar. A total of 16 stations with three replicates per station were performed using a plankton net with a mesh size of 140µm. Results show that zooplankton in Pengerang recorded the highest with 256.157 ind/ m3, followed by Kukup (132.412 ind/m3) and Pulau Besar (54.066 ind/m3). There were seven dominant species of copepods recorded in this study, namely Acrocalanus gracilis, Bestiolona similis, Euterpina acutifrons, Oithona nana, Oithona similis, Paracalanus aculeatus, and Paracalanus denudatus. Generally, this study has shown a notable relationship between local current circulation patterns and zooplankton distribution.

Atlantification influences zooplankton communities seasonally in the northern Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean

The Barents Sea is undergoing rapid ocean warming with less sea ice and increased Atlantic inflow, shifting the pelagic ecosystem towards a more boreal one, a process referred to as Atlantification. While such changes have already been documented in the southern and central Barents Sea, less is known about the degree of Atlantification in the northern Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean. In this seasonal study, we identified the mesozooplankton biodiversity, abundance and biomass in the Northern Barents Sea along a transect with seven stations stretching from the central Barents Sea (76°N) across the shelf break and into the Arctic Ocean (82°N) in August and December 2019, and March, May and July 2021. The broad range of mesozooplankton taxa and sizes were collected by conducting duplicate depth-stratified tows using alternate nets of mesh-sizes 64 µm and 180 µm. The majority of zooplankton taxa were ubiquitous in the study area, but the abundances and life stages varied depending on the season, region and the dominant water mass. We identified three distinct biogeographical regions with different zooplankton diversity and seasonal dynamics; (i) south of the Polar Front, (ii) northern Barents Sea shelf, and (iii) shelf slope and Arctic Ocean. During summer, high abundances of Atlantic/boreal and cosmopolitan zooplankton, mainly Calanus finmarchicus, Metridia longa, Oithona similis and Microsetella norvegica were found just south of the Polar Front in the central Barents Sea. On the shelf, Arctic species, such as Calanus glacialis, Pseudocalanus spp., and Limacina helicina dominated year-round with relatively high and stable biomass. At the northernmost stations, peaks of C. finmarchicus and Oncaeidae (Triconia borealis and Oncaea spp.) occurred in winter, combined with bathypelagic species such as Paraeuchaeta spp., Scaphocalanus brevicornis, Spinocalanus spp., Gaetanus brevispinus and Heterorhabdus norvegicus. Hence, when comparing the mesozooplankton communities at the different locations and seasons, four distinct communities were identified: shelf winter, shelf spring, shelf summer, and Arctic Ocean. Stronger advection and increased northward expansion of Atlantic zooplankton species are anticipated in the future, which could impact the diversity of the more endemic and energy-richer Arctic zooplankton communities.

Plankton diversity and dynamics in the upper surface of the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean ecosystem and biogeochemical processes

In the Southern Ocean (SO) marine ecosystem, the interplay between CO2 sink and climate change is closely linked to the shifting plankton communities, leading to potentially wide-ranging biogeochemical effects. Within the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean (ISSO), the phytoplankton community was predominantly composed of Fragilariopsis spp., followed by Chaetoceros sp., while the zooplankton consisted mainly of Pleuromamma spp. and Oithona similis. Plankton diversity is collectively influenced by variables such as temperature, photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), and macronutrient availability. During the austral summer of 2019, significant latitudinal variations in phytoplankton were observed at major fronts in the region, including the Subtropical Front (STF), Sub Antarctic Front (SAF), Polar Front (PF), and South of Polar Front (SPF). At the STF, flagellates dominated (87%), while their presence decreased to 12% at the SPF, while diatoms progressively increased from the STF (<1%) to the SPF (87%) through the SAF and PF. Chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentrations at the surface were highest in the PF (0.62 mg m−3), followed by the SPF (0.56 mg m−3), SAF (0.51 mg m−3), and STF (0.28 mg m−3). The integrated Chl-a values across the water column were higher at the SPF (21.49 mg m−2) than at the STF (14.73 mg m−2). The dominant diatom species at the surface along the fronts, except for STF, was Fragilariopsis spp. (∼5 × 105 Cells L−1), followed by Chaetoceros sp. (∼1 × 105 Cells L−1), and Coscinodiscus sp. (∼5 × 104 Cells L−1). Conversely, at the STF, the most abundant flagellate species were Gyrodinium spp. (∼2.4 × 104 Cells L−1), followed by Protoperidinium sp. (∼2 × 104 Cells L−1), and Amphidinium sp. (∼1 × 104 Cells L−1). Zooplankton biovolume in the upper 200 m ranged from 0.71 to 10 ml 100 m−3, with relatively higher biovolume and numerical abundance found in the SAF compared to the PF. The higher Chl-a concentration in the PF and lower zooplankton biovolume could have significant negative consequences for higher trophic levels. PAR showed higher values up to 40 m than observed depths along the fronts. Additionally, variations in salinity and temperature were recorded, with a significant decline in temperature from the STF to the SPF. Nitrate (NO3−), phosphate (PO43−), and silicate (SiO44−) concentrations were higher at the SPF than at lower latitudes. Overall, these findings indicate that the plankton community composition in the study region is influenced by a diverse set of governing variables over time, highlighting the significant implications for the regional biogeochemical cycle.

Seasonality of zooplankton communities in the Hudson Bay system

The strong seasonality of sub-Arctic seas needs to be considered to understand their ecosystems. The Hudson Bay system undergoes strong seasonal changes in 1) sea ice conditions, alternating between complete ice cover in winter and open water in summer; 2) river discharge, which peaks in the spring and influences the stratification of the bay; and 3) surface circulation that consists of a weak double gyre system in spring and summer and a cyclonic system in the autumn. Recent studies that included data collected during spring have shown that the annual primary productivity in the Hudson Bay system is higher than previously reported. Similarly, the regional zooplankton assemblages have been studied mostly in late summer, possibly leading to an underestimation of the annual secondary production. Here, we use data collected during five one to six week-long expeditions of the CCGS Amundsen in the Hudson Bay system between 2005 and 2018 to describe the seasonality in mesozooplankton assemblages and investigate how it depends on environmental variables. In general, small pan-Arctic and boreal copepods such as Microcalanus spp., Oithona similis and Pseudocalanus spp. dominated the assemblages. From spring to summer, the relative abundance of the Arctic-adapted Calanus hyperboreus and Calanus glacialis decreased, while the proportion of the boreal Pseudocalanus spp. and Acartia spp. increased. The day of the year and the ice break-up date explained most of the variation in mesozooplankton assemblages. Physical processes explained most of the species distribution in spring, while the lack of lipid-rich zooplankton species in late summer and autumn, especially in coastal regions, suggests some top-down control. This lack of lipid-rich zooplankton late in the season contrasts with other seasonally ice-covered seas. More data are needed to fully understand the implications of these dynamics under climate change, but this study establishes a baseline against which future changes can be compared.

Recent Changes in Composition and Distribution Patterns of Summer Mesozooplankton off the Western Antarctic Peninsula

The Southern Ocean has undergone significant climate-related changes in recent decades. As a result, pelagic communities inhabiting these waters, particularly mesozooplankton, have adapted to new conditions. The present study considers the patterns of horizontal and vertical (up to 1000 m) distribution, the composition, abundance, and biomass of mesozooplankton, and the relationships of these parameters to the extreme environmental conditions off the western Antarctic Peninsula throughout the record-warm austral summer season of 2022. Sampling was conducted using the opening/closing Multinet system (0.25 m2 aperture) equipped with five 150-μm mesh nets and a WP-2 net. The mesozooplankton was represented by the three most abundant groups: eggs and larvae of euphausiids such as Euphausia superba, small copepods such as Oithona similis, and large calanoid copepods such as Calanoides acutus, Calanus propinquus, Metridia gerlachei, and Rhincalanus gigas. The composition and quantitative distribution of the mesozooplankton significantly varied: the copepods were abundant in the west, off the Antarctic Peninsula, while eggs and larvae of euphausiids were abundant in the east, off the South Orkney Islands. Most mesozooplankton occurred in the upper 200 m layer, and each taxon showed characteristic depth preference: small copepods, euphausiids larvae, and cirripeds cypris larvae were abundant in the epipelagic layer, while large calanoid copepods, euphausiids eggs, amphipods, pelagic polychaetes, and ostracods were found mostly in the mesopelagic layer. The composition and quantitative distribution of mesozooplankton had clear relationships with environmental factors, particularly with a combination of variables such as water salinity, temperature, and chlorophyll a concentration.

The interplay between predatory chaetognaths and zooplankton community in a high Arctic fjord

In the marine environment, chaetognaths are among the major predators of zooplankton. The most common Chaetognatha species in the Arctic coastal waters are Parasagitta elegans and Eukrohnia hamata. Their distribution and size structure and potential predatory impact on the zooplankton community were analyzed in Isfjorden (Svalbard Archipelago). Parasagitta elegans dominated in terms of biomass (1.5 mg DM ∙ m−3) over E. hamata (0.09 mg DM ∙ m−3), and the clear pattern of chaetognaths' size distribution was noticed: smaller individuals occurred in the upper water layers, while larger ones were observed near the fjords’ bottom. Based on Redundancy Analysis (RDA) followed by variation partitioning, the zooplankton community was influenced by environmental variables (36.6%) and by chaetognaths (16.6%), while the joint impact for both groups of these predictors was 46.6%. Both increasing temperature and P. elegans influenced medium-sized and small copepods (e.g., Calanus finmarchicus, Oithona similis), pteropods, and meroplankton larvae (upper layers), while E. hamata was related to larger copepods (e.g., Calanus hyperboreus, Metridia longa) at greater depths. The study showed different predation pressure of P. elegans and E. hamata in the Arctic fjord and revealed complex interactions within the zooplankton community and marine environment.

Copepod Assemblages in A Large Arctic Coastal Area: A Baseline Summer Study

To provide a baseline description of copepod assemblages in the Pechora Sea, an estuarine area with great economical and ecological importance, we conducted a survey during the summer season. A total of 24 copepod taxa were identified in the study, with Acartia longiremis, Calanus finmarchicus, Centropages hamatus, Copepoda nauplii, Eurytemora affinis, Oithona similis, Pseudocalanus spp., and Temora longicornis being the most numerous. The high diversity (Shannon index = 2.51 ± 0.06), density (18,720 ± 3376 individuals m−3) and biomass (89 ± 18 mg dry mass m−3) of copepods were revealed. Populations of common small copepod taxa were dominated by the young stages, indicating spawning, while older copepodites prevailed among medium- and large-sized species, showing that their reproduction occurred before our survey. Cluster analysis indicated three groups of stations that mainly differed in the abundance of particular species. There were clear associations between copepod assemblages and environmental variables. Statistical analyses showed significant correlations between copepod abundance and water temperature or sampling depth, while other factors had a lesser influence. Our results suggest a strong effect of local circulation and currents on the spatial pattern of the copepod assemblages in the study area. This study may be useful for future biomonitoring in the south-eastern Barents Sea.

A study of the seasonal and interannual variability of phytoplankton and zooplankton assemblages in a significant marine ecosystem

The eastern Great Australian Bight (GAB) is a significant marine ecosystem, featuring a range of marine mammals and large pelagic fish including blue whales, sharks and tuna. Previous research has classified the region as generally oligotrophic, apart from late austral summer months when seasonal upwelling triggers phytoplankton blooms in the region. Based on multi-year field observations, this study analysed the interannual and interdecadal variability of the plankton community structure in this region. Pigment data indicate that nano- and pico-phytoplankton generally dominated the phytoplankton community structure with averages of 39% and 30% of the total biomass, including a relatively large proportion of nanophytoplankton (cryptophytes, haptophytes and prasinophytes) with cell sizes <5 µm, not resolved in microscopic cell counts. Nano- and pico-phytoplankton alone contributed ∼0.3 mg/m3 to the chlorophyll-a signal and therefore sustained an overall mesotrophic environment year-round. Distinct diatom blooms developed during the upwelling season within concentrated subsurface layers where chlorophyll-a concentrations increased to >1 mg/m3, characterising eutrophic conditions. The biomass of diatoms increased from <10% to ∼30% of total biomass. Diatom blooms coincided with relatively high abundances of three dominant zooplankton species (Oithona similis, Penilia avirostris and Microsetella norvegica) and/or the dinophyta Noctiluca scintillans, but events of high zooplankton abundance also occurred outside the upwelling season. The observational findings also show the occurrence of significant subsurface phytoplankton blooms in late spring, not reported before, that may also contribute to the ecosystem functioning of the region.

Effects of Eutrophication on Plankton Abundance and Composition in the Gulf of Gabès (Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia)

Phytoplankton and Copepoda were investigated in the industrialized Gabès coast (Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia) to understand consequences of the Eutrophication Grade on the community composition. In the past 40 years, intensive agrochemical activities have developed in Gabès, discharging wastewater along the coast. In parallel, Gabès City has experienced a rapid demographic expansion (population: 131,000) that further increased sewage discharged into the sea. The present study was carried out in the Gulf of Gabès in March 2014. The abiotic analysis of seawater showed high concentrations of nutrients and eutrophication in all the studied fifteen stations. A growing eutrophic gradient was revealed from Zarrat to Gannouche. During this study, 42 phytoplankton taxa and 24 Copepoda taxa were identified. Bacillariophyta were the most abundant group, ranging from 67.7% to 89.2% of total phytoplankton specimens. Chaetoceros costatus, Euglena acusformis, and Thalassiosira sp. showed a positive correlation with Eutrophication Index (profited of nutrient availability). Therefore, the Shannon–Weaver diversity index of phytoplankton and Copepoda showed negative correlations with Eutrophication Index. The relatively high H′ values for phytoplankton suggest that the eutrophicated waters of Gulf of Gabès are not a hostile environment for them. Among Copepoda, Oithona similis, and Euterpina acutifrons seem to be insensible species to eutrophication.

Diversity in Zooplankton and Sympagic Biota during a Period of Rapid Sea Ice Change in Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica

Sea ice is a major driver of biological activity in the Southern Ocean. Its cycle of growth and decay determines life history traits; food web interactions; and populations of many small, ice-associated organisms. The regional ocean modelling system (ROMS) for sea ice in the western Ross Sea has highlighted two modes of sea ice duration: fast-melting years when water temperature warms quickly in early spring and sea ice melts out in mid-November, and slow-melting years when water temperature remains below 0 °C and sea ice persists through most of December. Ice-associated and pelagic biota in Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, were studied intensively over a 3-week period in November 1997 as part of the PIPEX (Pack-Ice Plankton Experiment) campaign. The sea ice environment in November 1997 exhibited features of a slow-melting year, and the ice cover measured 0.65 m in late November. Phytoplankton abundance and diversity increased in the second half of November, concomitant with warming air and water temperatures, melting sea ice and progressive deepening of a still weak pycnocline. Water column phytoplankton was dominated by planktonic species, both in abundance and diversity, although there was also some input from benthic species. Pelagic zooplankton were typical of a nearshore Antarctic system, with the cyclopoid copepod Oithona similis representing at least 90% of total abundance. There was an increase in numbers coinciding with the period of ice thinning. Conversely, ice-associated species such as the calanoid copepods Stephos longipes and Paralabidocera antarctica decreased over time and were found in low numbers once the water temperatures increased. Stratified sampling under the sea ice, to 20 m, revealed that P. antarctica was mainly found in close association with the under-ice surface, while S. longipes, O. similis, and the calanoid copepod Metridia gerlachei were dispersed more evenly.