Lipid indicators of the diet of the sympagic amphipod Gammarus wilkitzkii in the Marginal Ice Zone and in open waters of Svalbard (Arctic)

Triacylglycerols were the major lipid and wax esters a minor lipid in the Arctic autochthonous, sympagic amphipod, Gammarus wilkitzkii, from less than 1 year old to 3 years old in the Marginal Ice Zone around Svalbard. The fatty acids of the triacylglycerols, especially in young G. wilkitzkii, were mainly characteristic of diatoms and, to a lesser extent, flagellates. Small amounts of 20:1n-9 and 22:1n-11 fatty acids characteristic of calanoid copepods were also present in the triacylglycerols in young G. wilkitzkii from the Marginal Ice Zone and the amounts of both of these fatty acids increased in the triacylglycerols as the animals matured. G. wilkitzkii in open waters in Kongsfjord had minor amounts of triacylglycerols rich in 20:1n-9 and 22:1n-11 and major amounts of wax esters characteristic of calanoid copepods. We conclude that young G. wilkitzkii in the Marginal Ice Zone feed predominantly on ice algae and that they consume increasing amounts of calanoid copepods as they mature, albeit with ice algae remaining a prominent component of their diet. In open waters, young G. wilkitzkii consume mainly calanoid copepods.     

Feeding, respiration and life history of the hyperiid amphipod Themisto libellula in the Arctic marginal ice zone of the Greenland Sea

Daily ingestion rates of the pelagic hyperiid amphipod Themisto libellula were studied in the marginal ice zone of the Arctic Fram Strait by feeding experiments, respiration measurements and an allometric approach based on body mass. Amphipods were collected by stratified multiple opening/closing net hauls and Rectangular Midwater Trawl (RMT 8) in August 2000 during the expedition ARK XVI/2 of R/V “Polarstern”. T. libellula occurred with abundances of 0.043 and 0.015 ind. m⁻³ in the upper 30 m of the water column at two RMT 8 stations. Based on respiration data, the daily ingestion necessary to cover metabolic energy demands measured 1.9±0.6% of body carbon per day. Actual prey consumption during feeding experiments with Calanus copepodids as prey was very similar and accounted for 1.9±1.5% day⁻¹, indicating that feeding on Calanus can meet the energy demands of T. libellula. In general, experimental results were slightly lower than the maximum potential ingestion (2% day⁻¹ for an individual of median body dry mass of 32 mg) estimated by an allometric equation based on body mass, but feeding experiments showed a strong variability. Reduced metabolism and low ingestion rates of T. libellula are consistent with low ambient temperature, large body size, slow growth and long life span of this polar species. The effect of the active pelagic life style of T. libellula on metabolism and ingestion rate is discussed in comparison to the sympagic (i.e. ice-associated) amphipod Gammarus wilkitzkii of similar body size living in the same environment. In relation to the mesozooplankton biomass in the investigation area, the predation impact by T. libellula was low. However, high-Arctic conditions also limit the secondary production of principal prey species, such as Calanus glacialis and Calanus hyperboreus, so that even low predation rates may affect the growth of prey populations.     

Faecal pellet production by Arctic under-ice amphipods – transfer of organic matter through the ice/water interface

The underside of Arctic sea ice is inhabited by several autochthonous amphipod species (Apherusa glacialis, Onisimus spp., Gammarus wilkitzkii). The amphipods graze on ice-bound organic matter, such as ice algae, detritus and ice fauna, and release faecal pellets into the underlying water column, thus forming a direct link between the sea ice and the pelagic ecosystems. Experiments on faecal pellet production rates showed species-specific differences, which were related to size of the animals. The smallest species, A. glacialis, produced the highest mean number of pellets (15.4 pellets ind.^-1 d^-1), followed by Onisimus spp. (2.7 pellets ind.^-1 d^-1) and the largest species, G. wilkitzkii (1.1 pellets ind.^-1 d^-1). Relative carbon content of the pellets was very similar in all species (21.2–22.6% dry mass). Juvenile amphipods (Onisimus spp., G. wilkitzkii) produced more pellets with less POC than adults. Based on field determinations of the POC concentration in the lowermost 2 cm of the sea ice (mean: 36.4 mg C m^-2) and mean amphipod abundances (A. glacialis: 33.8 ind. m^-2, Onisimus spp.: 0.5 ind. m^-2, G. wilkitzkii: 9.4 ind. m^-2) in the Greenland Sea in summer 1994, the amount of POC transferred from the ice to the water by faecal pellet production was estimated (0.7 mg C m^-2 d^-1 or almost 2% of ice-bound carbon). Since this process probably takes place in all ice-covered Arctic regions as well as during all seasons, grazing and pellet production by under-ice amphipods contributes significantly to matter flux across the ice/water interface.     

Mesozooplankton community structure and grazing impact in the Polar Frontal Zone of the south Indian Ocean during austral autumn 2002

Mesozooplankton community structure and grazing impact were investigated at 13 stations in the Polar Frontal Zone during the second Marion Offshore Variability Ecosystem Study (MOVES II), conducted during April 2002. Total integrated chl- a biomass ranged between 11.17 and 28.34 mg chl- a m^-2 and was always dominated by nano- and picophytoplankton (<20 µm). Throughout the study, small copepods, mainly Oithona similis and Ctenocalanus vanus, numerically dominated the mesozooplankton community, composing up to 85% (range 30-85%) of the total abundance. Grazing activity of the four most abundant copepods ( O. similis, C. vanus, Calanus simillimus and Clausocalanus spp.), constituting up to 93% of total mesozooplankton abundance, was investigated using the gut fluorescence technique. Results of gut fluorescence analyses indicated that Calanus simillimus and Clausocalanus spp. exhibited diel variability in gut pigments with maximum values recorded at night. In contrast, O. similis and Ctenocalanus vanus did not demonstrate diel variation in gut pigment contents. Ingestion rates of the four copepods ranged from 23.23 to 1462,02 ng(pigm.)ind^-1day^-1. The combined grazing impact of the four copepods ranged between 1 and 36% of the phytoplankton standing stock per day, with the highest daily impact occurring at stations occupied in the vicinity of the Antarctic Polar Front (~35.86% at station 23). Among the copepods, O. similis and Ctenocalanus vanus represented the most important consumers of phytoplankton biomass, collectively responsible for up to 89% (range 15-89%) of the total daily grazing impact. Carbon specific ingestion rates of the copepods varied between 42 and 320% body carbon per day.     

Summer feeding activities of zooplankton in Prydz Bay, Antarctica

Grazing of dominant zooplankton copepods (Calanoides acutus, and Metridia gerlachei), salps (Salpa thompsoni) and microzooplankton was determined during the austral summer of 1998/1999 at the seasonal ice zone of the Prydz Bay region. The objective was to measure the ingestion rates of zooplankton at the seasonal ice zone, so as to evaluate the importance of different groups of zooplankton in their grazing impact on phytoplankton standing stock and primary production. Grazing by copepods was low, and accounted for <1% of phytoplankton standing stocks and 3.8-12.5% of primary production for both species during this study; even the ingestion rates of individuals were at a high level compared with previous reports. S. thompsoni exhibited a relatively high grazing impact on primary production (72%) in the north of our investigation area. The highest grazing impact on phytoplankton was exerted by microzooplankton during this investigation, and accounted for 10-65% of the standing stock of phytoplankton and 34-100% of potential daily primary production. We concluded that microzooplankton was the dominant phytoplankton consumer in this study area. Salps also played an important role in control of phytoplankton where swarming occurred. The grazing of copepods had a relatively small effect on phytoplankton biomass development.     

Pelagic occurrence of the sympagic amphipod Gammarus wilkitzkii in ice-free waters of the Greenland Sea – dead end or part of life-cycle?

The sympagic (=ice-associated) amphipod Gammarus wilkitzkii usually lives attached to the underside of Arctic sea ice. During an expedition to the Greenland Sea in May/June 1997, high numbers of this species were found in pelagic Rectangular Midwater Trawl catches (0–500 m water depth) in an ice-free area, 35–42 km away from the ice edge. The amphipods seemed to have maintained position in the water column for at least 4 days. Mean biomass data (length: 2.9 cm, organic content: 73% dry mass), gut fullness (>50% in 85% of specimens) and sex ratio (females:males = 1:1.5) of these amphipods were very similar to values for under-ice populations. Due to their relatively high body density (mean: 1.134 g cm⁻³), the energy demand for swimming was assumed to be high. Measurements of oxygen consumption of swimming and resting amphipods (8.8 and 4.0 J g wet mass⁻¹ day⁻¹, respectively) suggested that, from an energetic point of view, G. wilkitzkii would maintain position in an ice-free water column for the time period. Accepted: 11 January 1999     

A mesocosm study of physical-biological interactions in artificial sea ice: effects of brine channel surface evolution and brine movement on algal biomass

The impact of changing physico-chemical boundary conditions in sea ice on biological processes was investigated during a 20-day-long simulated freeze-melt cycle in an 180-m³ mesocosm filled with artificial seawater and addition of a mixed Arctic sea-ice community. Ice formation started at T_air of -15°C with a growth rate of 0.7-1.2 mm h^-1 for 10 days. The last 10 days (T_air of=-5°C), ice thickness remained around 20 cm. Ice temperature gradients inside the ice were linear and determined brine salinities. Brine was collected by means of centrifugation and its volume ranged from 5 to 30% of total ice volume. Surface areas of interconnected brine channels were determined with two similar techniques and maximum values ranged between 1.5 and 4.8 m² kg^-1ice. Measurements determined with a modified method varied considerably and differed by a maximal factor of 2.0-6.5. Brine channel surfaces increased during the experiment as a result of the warming of the ice. The inoculated algal community was dominated by flagellates <10 µm. The low diatom biomass increased in the ice after the air temperature rise with rates comparable to field data (µ=0.2-0.3 day^-1). Comparison with brine salinities points towards the hypothesis of vertical brine stability being a controlling factor for ice algal growth. We infer from brine channel surface measurements that persistence of brine channel surfaces during spring might be an important prerequisite for the commencement of net diatom biomass accumulation. Advantages and limitations of mesoscale mesocosms as alternatives in ice biological work are discussed.     

Feeding and metabolism of the siphonophore Sphaeronectes gracilis

The in situ predation rate of the siphonophore Sphaeronectesgracilis was estimated from gut content analysis of hand-collectedsiphonophores and from laboratory data on digestion rates ofprey organisms. At daytime prey densities of 0.25 copepods 1^–1,S. gracilis was estimated to consume 8.1 – 15.4 prey day^–1siphonophore^–1. From data on abundances of siphonophoresand copepods, S. gracilis was estimated to consume 2–4%of the copepods daily. In laboratory experiments, ingestionrates averaged 13.8 prey day^–1 siphonophore^–1 atprey densities of 5 copepods 1^–1 and 36.9 at 20 copeods1^–1. This was equivalent to a specific ingestion rate(for both carbon and nitrogen) of –17% day^–1 and45% day^–1, respectively, while specific ingestion in situwas only 2% day^–1. Ammonium excretion averaged 0.095 µg-atsiphonophore^–1 day^–1 at 5 prey 1^–1, and 0.162at 20 prey 1^–1. The specific respiration (carbon) andspecific excretion (nitrogen as ammonium) were calculated tobe 3% day^–1 at the lower experimental food level, and5% day^–1 at the higher food level. ¹Contribution from the Catalina Marine Science Center No. 66. ²Present address: Dept. of Biology, University of Victoria,Victoria, B.C., Canada V8W 2Y2.     

Observations on Calanus glacialis eggs under the spring sea ice in the Barents Sea

During a spring cruise to the ice-covered Barents Sea in May 1997, high concentrations of Calanus glacialis eggs were found below the pack ice. Maximum abundance was 5,900 eggs m^-3 directly at the ice-water interface. Vertical distribution in the water column showed a decrease with depth, indicating positive buoyancy of the eggs. The possible role of the under-ice habitat as a nursery ground for C. glacialis is suggested.     

Feeding of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Themisto libellula</Emphasis> (Amphipoda Crustacea) on natural copepods assemblages in an Arctic fjord (Kongsfjorden,Svalbard)

Ingestion rates and selectivity of the Arctic pelagic amphipod Themisto libellula were studied experimentally in Kongsfjorden (Svalbard, 78°N) during the summer period. Feeding incubations were conducted on naturally occurring copepod communities at different concentrations ranging from 25 to 250 preys L⁻¹. The ingestion rates increased with food availability from 1.3 to 17.7 preys ind⁻¹ day⁻¹, which corresponded to 0.3–11% of body carbon day⁻¹. Despite the high prey concentration used in the experiments the satiation level was not reached. We suggested that T. libellula is able to take the maximum benefit from dense patches of preys, which represent a good adaptation to the high variability in food supply characteristic of polar environment. Copepodids stage III of Calanus spp. appeared to be the preferred preys of T. libellula. Smaller copepods such as Oithona similis and Pseudocalanus spp., were also selected but only when their relative abundance exceeded 25% of the total prey available. The potential predation impact of T. libellula is discussed in relation to the mesozooplankton small-scale patchiness and predator abundance.     

Fluxes and composition of settling particles during summer in an Antarctic shallow bay of Livingston Island, South Shetlands

A moored experiment using a sediment trap was conducted at Johnson's Dock, Livingston Island from 11 December 1997 to 24 February 1998, as part of the EASIZ Programme activities carried out at the Juan Carlos I Spanish Antarctic base. Total mass vertical fluxes ranged from 23,235 mg m^-2 day^-1 to 89,073 mg m^-2 day^-1 during the experiment, with a mean value of 42,857 mg m^-2 day^-1. Lithogenic components were the major contributors to the settling particulate flux. Organic components accounted for a low fraction of the settling particulate matter, showing an inverse relation to total mass flux. Nevertheless, the fluxes of organic components at Johnson's Dock are as high as in the open sea. The increases in chlorophyll a in water were related to increases in the organic carbon content, which dominated over inorganic carbon during the whole experiment. Calcium carbonate particles settle without being significantly altered in the water column and are dissolved in the upper centimetres of the bottom sediments, once they are buried. The settling material consisted of fine particles, with coarse clasts transported by icebergs. Antarctic shallow environments receive important sediment fluxes from the erosion and transport action of ice.     

Short-term variability in the flux of rapidly sinking particles in the Antarctic marginal ice zone

A sediment trap deployment was made at a station (64°42'S, 139°59'E) at five depths (537, 796, 1,259, 1,722, 2,727 m) in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) of the Antarctic Ocean during a summer productive period from 26 December 1994 to 20 January 1995. This aim of the study was to reveal a possible occurrence of a sporadic bloom in surface layers and to evaluate the role of fast-sinking particles in transportation processes of bloom-derived material down to mesopelagic and bathypelagic layers. During the observation, a marked flux increase (70.5 mg C m^-2 day^-1, 7.7 mg N m^-2 day^-1) was observed at the depth of 537 m on 7-9 January. The increased flux at 537 m decreased with depth and time. The same mass of sinking particles forming the flux maximum at each depth sank down from the shallowest trap (537 m) to the deepest trap (2,727 m) within 4-11 days, indicating that these particles were transported downward to the bottom with the sinking rate of >200 m day^-1. Collected particles were composed of two major particle fractions; one was dominated by fecal pellets of macrozooplankton (mainly Euphausia superba) with relatively fast sinking rates (FSP; fast-sinking particles) and the other by minute diatoms of Fragilariopsis curta with slow sinking rates (SSP; slowly sinking particles). According to the comparison of time depth changes of these two fractions, the SSP had unexpectedly faster sinking rates comparable with the FSP during the periods of maximum fluxes, probably indicating the SSP were transformed from the FSP during sinking. The present result strongly suggests that a local bloom of F. curta and intensified zooplankton grazing activities occurred in surface layers in a few days in the MIZ, and then the egested fecal pellets were rapidly transported downward with fragmentation processes into small-sized minute particles in mesopelagic and bathypelagic layers.     

Regulation of xylem sap flow in an evergreen, a semi-deciduous, and a deciduous Meliaceae species from the Amazon

The significance of phenological characteristics, stomatal conductance of the leaves, and stem water storage fluctuations for the regulation of xylem sap flow in an evergreen (Carapa guianensis Aubl.), in a semi-deciduous (Swietenia macrophylla King), and in a deciduous (Cedrela odorata L.) Meliaceae species was studied in a 7-year-old plantation near Manaus, Brazil. The study responds to the increasing demand for knowledge on the water relations of highly exploited timber trees of the Amazon. Xylem sap flow measurements indicated that the daily sap flow of Carapa (3.8 l day^-1 tree^-1 to 16.4 l day^-1 tree^-1) exceeded the daily sap flow of Swietenia (2.4 l day^-1 tree^-1 to 7.0 l day^-1 tree^-1) and Cedrela (1.6 l day^-1 tree^-1 to 11.6 l day^-1 tree^-1) during the entire year, although the highest flux densities were measured in Cedrela. The decrease in xylem sap flow observed in periods with low soil water potentials and high atmospheric vapor saturation deficits was more pronounced in the deciduous (Cedrela) and semi-deciduous species (Swietenia) than the evergreen species (Carapa). Carapa, which has the highest daily sap flow, had the highest biomass and sapwood portion. The high flux densities measured in Cedrela most likely result from the large earlywood vessels in this species. The seasonal variation of xylem sap flow of the three species was correlated with the stomatal conductance of the leaves measured by infiltration experiments. Stem water storage fluctuations in Carapa and Swietenia were predominantly due to transpiration; in Cedrela it was predominantly due to evaporative water loss on the stem surface during dry periods.     

Living conditions, abundance and biomass of under-ice fauna in the Storfjord area (western Barents Sea, Arctic) in late winter (March 2003)

The under-ice habitat and fauna were studied during a typical winter situation at three stations in the western Barents Sea. Dense pack ice (7–10/10) prevailed and ice thickness ranged over <0.1–1.6 m covered by <0.1–0.6 m of snow. Air temperatures ranged between –1.8 and –27.5°C. The ice undersides were level, white and smooth. Temperature and salinity profiles in the under-ice water (0–5 m depth) were not stratified (T=–1.9 to –2.0°C and S=34.2–34.7). Concentrations of inorganic nutrients were high and concentrations of algal pigments were very low (0.02 g chlorophyll a l^–1), indicating the state of biological winter. Contents of particulate organic carbon and nitrogen ranged over 84.2–241.3 and 5.3–16.4 g l^–1, respectively, the C/N ratio over 11.2–15.5 pointing to the dominance of detritus in the under-ice water. Abundances of amphipods at the ice underside were lower than in other seasons: 0–1.8 ind. m^–2 for Apherusa glacialis, 0–0.7 ind. m^–2 for Onisimus spp., and 0–0.8 ind. m^–2 for Gammarus wilkitzkii. A total of 22 metazoan taxa were found in the under-ice water, with copepods as the most diverse and numerous group. Total abundances ranged over 181–2,487 ind. m^–3 (biomass: 70–2,439 g C m^–3), showing lower values than in spring, summer and autumn. The dominant species was the calanoid copepod Pseudocalanus minutus (34–1,485 ind. m^–3), contributing 19–65% to total abundances, followed by copepod nauplii (85–548 ind. m^–3) and the cyclopoid copepod Oithona similis (44–262 ind. m^–3). Sympagic (ice-associated) organisms occurred only rarely in the under-ice water layer.     

Energetics and feeding dynamics of Euphausia superba in the South Georgia region during the summer of 1994

Measurements of adult Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) gutcontents, evacuation and egestion rates, as well as digestiveefficiency, were carried out during February-March 1994 in thevicin ity of South Georgia to estimate in situ daily ration.These were combined with acoustically derived biomass data tocalculate the grazing impact of Antarctic krill and its contributionto the carbon flux in the region. Individual levels of gut pigmentconcentrations and evacuation rates ranged from 27 to 1831 ngchlorophyll a-eq. ind.^–1 and from 0.133 to 0.424 h^–1,respectively. Losses of pigment fluor escence during digestionwere very high, ranging from 58 to 98% of the total pigmentdigested. Daily carbon consumption estimated using the gut fluorescencemethod varied from 0.234 to 0.931 mg C ind.^–1 day^–1(or 0.4–1.7% of body carbon), compared to {small tilde}2.73mg C ind.^–1 day^–1 (or {small tilde}5% of body carbon)using the faecal pellet production data. The 3-fold higher dailyration estimated using egestion rate data may be explained bypredation on micro-and mesozooplankton. Maximum krill grazingimpact ranged from 0.4 to 1.9% of the total phytoplankton stockor from 10 to 59% of the total daily primary production. However,grazing impact on the microphytoplankton (>20 µm) wassubstantially higher, at times exceeding 100% of the daily microphytoplanktonproduction. It is suggested that to meet its energetic demands,kriil must consume a substantial proportion of heterotrophiccarbon. ³Present address Zoology Department, University of Fort Hare,P/Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa     

Change in habitat of the sympagic copepod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralabidocera</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">antarctica</Emphasis> from fast ice to seawater

The occurrence and age structure of an Antarctic ice-associated copepod, Paralabidocera antarctica, were investigated using a light trap under fast ice near Syowa Station. Sampling was carried out between May and November 1984. P. antarctica were found in high numbers in the traps on 1-2 and 23-24 November. No copepods were found in any trap between May and October. The timing of the absence and occurrence of P. antarctica in the light traps coincided with their ice-dwelling and pelagic life-phases. More than 99% of the total catch was taken in the traps set in the water immediately below the ice in both sampling periods on 1-2 and 23-24 November. The age structure of the P. antarctica populations consisted of copepodite stage III (CIII) to adult and IV (CIV) to adult, respectively. The earlier population was dominated by CIV and CV and the later one by adults. The behavior pattern of P. antarctica is suggested to be controlled by phototactic and thigmotactic traits, and their habitat change from sea ice to seawater may occur by trade-off between two behavioral traits with the acquisition of swimming ability.     

Lipid biomarkers indicate different ecological niches and trophic relationships of the Arctic hyperiid amphipods Themisto abyssorum and T. libellula

The hyperiid amphipods Themisto libellula and T. abyssorum are important components of Arctic pelagic ecosystems. Both species are carnivorous and prey on mesozooplankton. They represent a substantial food source for marine vertebrates and are a key link between zooplankton secondary production and higher trophic levels. We present data on the total lipid content, lipid class and fatty acid composition of T. libellula and T. abyssorum from northern Fram Strait and the central Arctic Ocean. Both species had moderate to high lipid contents of 14-42% of body dry mass. In T. abyssorum, total lipid content was correlated to body mass, while T. libellula showed sex-related differences in lipid content. Despite their smaller body size, females of T. libellula had higher lipid contents than males. Wax esters represented the major lipid class in both species with 41-43% of total lipid, while triacylglycerols contributed 23-32%. The fatty acid composition was dominated by the long-chain polyunsaturated moieties 20:5(n-3) and 22:6(n-3), short-chain saturated compounds (16:0 and 14:0) and monounsaturated fatty acids of varying length, i.e. 16:1(n-7), 20:1(n-9), 18:1(n-9) and 22:1(n-11). Species-specific and geographic variations in the fatty acid and alcohol patterns were apparently linked to differences in diet and life-cycle. High amounts of the fatty acids and alcohols 20:1(n-9) and 22:1(n-11) in T. libellula indicate predation on herbivorous Calanus copepodids. In addition, elevated levels of 20:5(n-3) in T. libellula indicate a close connection with ice-algal production and the importance of cryo-pelagic coupling processes (i.e. exchange processes between the sea ice and the pelagic communities) for the nutrition of this high-Arctic epipelagic species. In contrast, T. abyssorum is characterised by lower amounts of 20:5(n-3) and its biomarker ratios indicate a higher trophic level. This observation is consistent with the subarctic-boreal origin of T. abyssorum and its occurrence in deeper layers of the Arctic Ocean, where it may feed on omnivorous and/or carnivorous prey.     

Meroplankton distribution in the central Barents Sea in relation to local oceanographic patterns

Abundance and spatio-temporal distribution of meroplankton (larvae of invertebrate benthos) in the central Barents Sea and their dependence on abiotic factors were investigated. Samples were taken in different depth intervals on a south-north transect in the marginal ice zone in May 1997. At several locations sampling was repeated in June 1997. In May, total meroplankton abundances varied between 0.1 ind. m^-3 and 32.0 ind. m^-3, but mainly fluctuated around 10-15 ind. m^-3. They were strongly affected by the mass occurrence of single species. At the northern, heavily ice-covered stations numbers decreased significantly. Larvae of 27 types were found. Polychaetes represented the most diverse group (13 species), followed by echinoderms (8 species). Larvae of only one bivalve species were found (Mya truncata), but with very high abundances (86 ind. m^-3). Other taxa were represented only by single specimens. In June, total abundances were similar. The same species were present but the distribution patterns were less distinct, diversity values were higher and most larvae were further developed than in May. Distribution patterns of the larvae were to a large extent determined by physical processes in the area of the Polar Front, which acted as a distinct barrier in surface waters. In May, four meroplankton assemblages were distinguished, each associated with a different water mass. Most of the larvae have also been found in other investigated Arctic areas and belong to species with an Atlantic-Boreal-Arctic or Boreal-Arctic distribution. The relatively high numbers of larval types found in this study indicate that indirect development with pelagic larval stages plays a role in benthic recruitment in this sub-Arctic region. The relevance of these observations for the so-called Thorson rule is discussed.     

Primary and bacterial production compared to growth and food requirements of Daphnia longispina in Lake Kvernavatnet, west Norway

Primary production, and bacterial production as measured byincorporation of [³H-methyl]thymidineinto ice cold TCA insolublematerial were investigated during 1984 in Lake Kvernavatnet,west Norway. Primary production averaged 222 mg C m^–2day^–1 and bacterial production averaged 163 mg C m^–2day^–1. The bacterial production in the euphotic pelagiczonecontributed -60% of the total pelagic bacterial production.The zooplankton was dominated byDaphnia longispina. From growthexperiments with animals fed only natural food in coarse filteredlake water, the population daily growth increments were calculated.The average production of D.longispina was 151 mg C m^–2day^–1 during the period investigated. The estimated primaryproduction was too low to sustain both the bacterial productionand the zooplankton food requirements. These results imply thatthe carbon cycle of the lake is dependent on the supply of allochtonousmaterial, or that the current methods for measuring productionrates in aquatic environments are systematical erratic.     

Growth and ingestion rates of larval fish populations in the coastal waters of Israel

Clupeoid larvae were collected on eight cruises between February1984 and February 1985 in the coastal waters of Israel. Fromanalysis of daily growth increments of otoliths, growth ratesof the abundant clupeoids, Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardina pilchardusand Sardinella aurita were found to be 0.55 mm day^–1,0.67 mm day^–1 and 0.60 mm day^–1, respectively, duringthe first month after hatching. Ingestion rates were estimatedusing an equation from the literature relating ingestion andgrowth of larval fish. Ingestion calculated for populationsof fish larvae in pelagic waters ranged from 0 to >23 mgC m^–2 day^–1 with maximum rates observed in April.Annual ingestion by larval fish at a pelagic station near Haifawas calculated to be 2.2 g C m^–2 year^–1, 10–20%of annual primary production estimated from ¹⁴C uptake.