Photosynthetic characteristics of Dinophysis norvegica Claparede & Lachmann, a red-tide dinoflagellate

The relationships between photosynthesis and photosyntheticphoton flux densities (PPFD, P-l) were studied during a red-tideof Dinophysis norvegica (July-August 1990) in Bedford Basin.Dinophysis norvegica, together with other dinoflagellates suchas Gonyaulax digitate, Ceratium tripos, contributed {small tilde}50%of the phytoplankton biomass that attained a maximum of 16.7µg Chla 1^– and 11.93 10⁶ total cells I^–1.The atomic ratios of carbon to nitrogen for D.norvegica rangedfrom 8.7 to 10.0. The photosynthetic characteristics of fractionatedphytoplankton (>30 µm) dominated by D.norvegica weresimilar to natural bloom assemblages: o (the initial slope ofthe P-l curves) ranged between 0.013 and 0.047 µg C [µgChla]^–1 h–1 [µmol m^– s^–1]^–1the maximum photosynthetic rate, p^B_m, between 0.66 and 1.85µg C [µghla]^–1 h^–1; l_k (the photoadaptationindex) from 14 to 69 µ,mol m^–2 s^–1. Carbonuptake rates of the isolated cells of D.norvegica (at 780 µmolm^–2 s^–1) ranged from 16 to 25 pg C cell^–1h^– and were lower than those for C.tripos, G.digitaleand some other dinoflagellates. The variation in carbon uptakerates of isolated cells of D.norvegica corresponded with P^B_mof the red-tide phytoplankton assemblages in the P-l experiments.Our study showed that D.norvegica, a toxigenic dinoflagellate,was the main contributor to the primary production in the bloom.     

Density and distribution of bacterioplankton and planktonic ciliates in the Bering Sea and North Pacific

The total number of planktonic bacteria in the upper mixed layerof the Bering Sea during the late spring-early summer periodranged between 1 and {small tilde}4 x 10⁶ ml^–1 (biomass10–40mg C m^–3). In the northern Pacific, along 47–52⁶N,the corresponding characteristics of the bacterioplankton densityin the upper mixed water layer were: total number 1–2x 10⁶ cells ml^–1 and biomass 15–46mg C m^–3Below the thermocline at 50–100 m, the density of bacterioplanktonrapidly decreased. At 300 m depth, it stabilized at 0.1–0.2x 106 cells ml^–1. The integrated biomass of bacterioplanktonin the open Bering Sea ranged between 1.2 and 3.6 g C m^–2(wet biomass 6–18 g m^–2) Its production per dayvaried from 2 to 23 mg C m^–3 days^–1 in the upper0–100 m. The numerical abundance of planktonic ciliatesin this layer was estimated to be from 3 to l0 x 10³ cells l^–1,and in the northern Pacific from 0.4 to 4.5 x 10³ l^–2.Their populations were dominated by naked forms of Strombidium,Strombilidium and Tontonia. In some shelf areas, up to 40% ofthe total ciliate population was represented by the symbioticciliate Mesodinium rubrum. The data on the integrated biomassof basic groups of planktonic microheterotrophs are also presented,and their importance in the trophic relationships in pelagiccommunities of subarctic seas is discussed.     

Zooplankton in the Vasikkalampi pond, a warm water effluent recipient in Central Finland

Seasonal and vertical fluctuations of zooplankton species composition,biomass, and production were monitored by weekly sampling duringa two year period in one eutrophic pond in Central Finland.The study was one part of a more comprehensive study programto investigate the effects of warm water effluents from onesmall thermal power plant (35 MW) on the pond ecosystem. Becauseof the circulation of the pond water through the pumps in thepower plant the crustacean populations were very sparse in planktonduring the seasons the power plant was in operation (late Augustto May). During that time rotifers were dominant and some speciesreached very high densities (e.g., Keratella cochlearis s.l.ca. 15 000 ind. l^–1 in sping). In summer months Asplanchnapriodonta, Ceriodaphnia quadrangula, Bosmina longirostris, Mesocyclopsleuckarti and Thermocyclops oithonoides were dominant. A totalof 96 planktonic and meroplanktonic taxa were identified (26ciliates, 46 rotifers, 21 cladocerans and 3 copepods). The dryweight biomass of total zooplankton was 10 mg m^–3 in wintermonths, 10–100 mg m^–3 in spring and 300–1000mg m^–3 in summer. The total yearly production of zooplanktonwas 8552 mg dry wt m^–3 a^–1 in 1979 and 8440 mg drywt m^–3 a^–1 in 1980, from which the proportion ofrotifers was 33–39%, cladocerans 52–58% and copepods8.6 –9.4%. The winter production was 0.2–0.5% ofthe total yearly production, that of spring and autumn togetherwas 8.1–10.4% and the remainder (89–91%) was summerproduction.     

Population dynamics of the scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita in Southampton Water

The population dynamics of the scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita inSouthampton Water is characterized. Strobilation, indicatedby the presence of 1 mm ephyrae, occurred from the end of Januaryto the middle of March. Maximum abundances of up to 8.71 m^–3occurred soon after ephyrae release, after which numbers declinedsteadily until the end of June, when the population was absentfrom Southampton Water. The residence time of 3–4 monthsis somewhat less than that reported in many other areas, includingKiel Bight and Gullmarfjord. The carbon biomass of A.auritaaccounted for 92–97% of the predominant gelatinous biomass(A.aurita, Pleurobrachia pileus and Phialidium hemisphericum)in the upper estuary, and this reached a maximum of 30.2 mgC m^–3 in May 1990 and 27.6 mg C m^–3 in June 1991.Coincident with increased water temperature and mesozooplanktonabundance during May, growth rates increased from 0.02–0.30mm day^–1 to a peak of 4.8 mm day^–1, with a maximumbell diameter of 120–140 mm reached in late May/earlyJune. Size to maturity was variable, although the smallest medusaobserved to be ‘ripe’, i.e. containing dividingeggs and planula larvae in the brood sacs on the oral arms,were 64–71 mm. Aurelia aurita is believed to be endemicto Southampton Water, but because of the double high water inthe area, short flushing rates of between 4.5 and 20 days maybe responsible for such short residence times of Aurelia medusae.The effects of strong NE winds were considered as factors governingthe distribution of medusae in years of atypical temporal abundance.     

Population structure and swarm formation of the cyclopoid copepod Dioithona oculata near mangrove cays

The cyclopoid copepod Dioithona oculata forms swarms in water>30 on deep among prop roots of red mangroves (Rhizophoramangle) which fringe protected areas of two lagoonal cays, TwinCays, Belize. During 7 of 8 months surveyed by in situ observation,swarms were present but differed in size from small cylindricalswarms (5–10 cm diameter) to bands extending up to 1200m Swarms were never observed at night Swarms formed at dawnwhen light intensities reached an average value of 13.82 (logioquanta cm^–Abstract. s^–1) and dispersed at dusk atsimilar intensities Swarms observed in June formed earlier anddispersed later in the day than swarms observed in January,their swarming behavior followed seasonal changes in light intensityMean dioithonan density in swarms (10 ml^–1) was much higherthan the mean density (0 15 ml^–1) of non-swarming dioithonansaround mangrove prop roots. In open water 3–5 m away fromthe mangroves, mean dioithonan density was 7 9 x 10^–5ml¹ during the day, and 2 68 x10^–3 ml^–1 at nightSwarms were composed predominantly of adults and copepodid stagesIV and V, although younger copepodid stages could be presentNauplii were never present. The ‘average copepodid stage’for all 95 swarms sampled was 5 3, where 6 0 represents a swarmwith only adults In open water 3–5 m away from the mangroves,the youngest copepodids (stage one) dominated the dioithonanpopulation during the day. At night when swarms dispersed toopen waters, average copepodid stage was higher (3 5) comparedwith the day value (1.2) in open waters. Although densitiesin swarms were higher in June than January, average copepodidstage in June was higher (5 6) than that in January (4.9). Ahigher percentage of adults were females during June than January.Therefore higher densities did not result from increases ofsmaller stages in swarms, but perhaps changes in behavior orpopulation structure.     

Annual pattern of micro- and mesozooplankton abundance and biomass in a subtropical estuary

The pattern of biomass and abundance of microzooplankton andmesozooplankton were studied over an annual cycle in the NuecesEstuary, Texas. Zooplankton samples and associated hydrographicdata were collected at four locations at biweekly intervalsfrom September 1987 through October 1988. This is a broad, shallowbay system with an average depth of 2.4 m. The concentrationof chlorophyll a in the surface waters averaged 7.4 µgl^–1with 85% passing through a 20 µ mesh. Microzooplankton(20–200 µ in length) were extremely abundant throughoutthis study. Abundances of ciliates (including both aloricateciliates and tintinnids) ranged from 5000 to 400 000 l^–,with a mean of 38 000 l^–1 of seawater over the entirecourse of the study. Mesozooplankton (200–2000 µmin length) abundance averaged 6100 m^–3 for samples collectedduring the day and 10 100 m^–3 for samples collected atnight. Mesozooplankton were dominated by Acartia tonsa whichmade up {small tilde}50% of the total. Biomass estimates formicrozooplankton (based on volume estimates) were often higherthan measured biomass of mesozooplankton. Given the shortergeneration times and higher metabolic rate of microzooplanktoncompared to mesozooplankton, microzooplankton should have agreater effect on the trophic dynamics of the Nueces Estuarythan mesozooplankton.     

Phytoplankton and nutrients in the waters north-west of Spitsbergen in the autumn of 1979

Phytoplankton biomass, primary production rates and inorganicnutrients were measured in the uppermost layer of the ice-edgeregion and in open water and compared with environmental factorsduring a three-week cruise in September – October 1979.Biomass and production values were low (maximum 2.2 µgchl a l^–1, 2.5 mg C m^–3 h^–1). A post-bloomcommunity of diatoms, consisting mainly of representatives ofChaetoceros, Leptocylindrus, Nitzschia and Thalassiosira, waspredominant. Concentrations of phosphate were quite low (maximum0.55 µM I^–1). Nitrate and silicate ranged from nomeasurable quantities to 5.7 µM l^–1 and 3.8 µMl^–1, respectively. The possibility of light and nutrientlimitation on phytoplankton growth is discussed.     

Size-fractionated primary production studies in the vicinity of the Subtropical Front and an adjacent warm-core eddy south of Africa in austral winter

Results are presented of size-fractionated primary productionstudies conducted in the vicinity of the Subtropical Front (STF),an adjacent warm-core eddy, and in Sub-antarctic waters duringthe third South African Antarctic Marine Ecosystem Study (SAAMESIII) in austral winter (June/July) 1993. Throughout the investigation,total chlorophyll (Chl a) biomass and production were dominatedby small nano- and picophytoplankton. No distinct patterns intotal Chl a were evident. At stations (n = 7) occupied in thevicinity of the STF, total integrated biomass values rangedfrom 31 to 53 mg Chl a m^–2. In the vicinity of the eddy,integrated biomass at the eddy edge (n = 3) ranged from 24 to54 mg Chl a m^–2 and from 32 to 43 mg Chl a m^–2 inthe eddy (n = 2). At the station occupied in the Sub-antarcticwaters, total integrated biomass was 43 mg Chl a m^–2.Total daily integrated production was highest at stations occupiedin the vicinity of the STF and at the eddy edge. Here, totalintegrated production ranged from 150 to 423 mg C m^–2day^–1 and from 244 to 326mg C m^–2 day^–1, respectively.In the eddy centre, total integrated production varied between134 and 156 mg C m^–2 day^–1. At the station occupiedin the Sub-antarctic waters, the lowest integrated production(141 mg C m^–2 day^–1) during the entire survey wasrecorded. Availability of macronutrients did not appear to limittotal production. However, the low silicate concentrations duringthe survey may account for the predominance of small nano- andpicophytoplankton. Differences in production rates between theeddy edge and eddy core were related to water column stability.In contrast, at stations occupied in the vicinity of the STF,the control of phytoplankton production appears to be relatedto several processes, including water column stability and,possibly, iron availability.     

Population biomass, feeding, respiration and growth rates, and carbon budget of the scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita in the Inland Sea of Japan

We investigated the seasonal occurrence, wet : dry : carbon: nitrogen weight ratios, population biomass, gastric pouchcontents, and rates of feeding, growth and respiration of thescyphomedusa Aurelia aurita in the central part of the InlandSea of Japan. Aurelia aurita medusae began to appear in January/Februaryas ephyrae, reached annual maximum body size in July/August,and disappeared, presumably due to death, by November. Initialslow growth in early spring was followed by a period of exponentialgrowth (mean growth rate: 0.069 d^–1) between April andJuly. In the Ondo Strait, which is characterized by strong tidalmixing, the A. aurita population (mean carbon biomass: 66.0mg C m^–3) overwhelmingly dominated the zooplankton-communitybiomass (mean biomass of micro- and mesozooplankton: 23.7 mgC m^–3) between May and early August The gastric contentanalysis revealed that A. aurita ate almost all micro- and mesozooplankters,of which small copepods were most important. On the basis ofdigestion time for small copepods (60 min) and their abundancein the gastric pouch of field-collected A. aurita, we determinedthe weight specific feeding rates and clearance rates. The formerincreases linearly with increasing copepod abundance, but thelatter was relatively constant irrespective of the food supply.We also measured the respiration rates of A. aurita and expressedthem as functions of body weight and temperature. These physio-ecologicalparameters enabled us to construct the carbon budget of theA. aurita population typical of early summer in the Ondo Strait.Predicted population-feeding rate (6.07 mg C m^–3 d^–1)was higher than the population-food requirement for both metabolismand growth (4.55 mg C m^–3 d^–1), indicating thatfood supply was sufficient to sustain the observed growth rate.This feeding rate was equivalent to 26% of micro- and mesozooplanktonbiomass, a significant impact on zooplankton.     

Copepod abundance in the western Irish Sea: relationship to physical regime, phytoplankton production and standing stock

The distinct patterns of stratification in the North Channeland stratified region of the western Irish Sea influence theseasonal abundance of phytoplankton. The 3–4 month productionseason in the stratified region was characterized by productionand biomass peaks in the spring (up to 2378 mg C m² day^–1and 178.4 mg chlorophyll m^–2) and autumn (up to 1280 mgC m^–2 day^–1 and 101.9 mg chlorophyll m^–2).Phytoplankton in the North Channel exhibited a short, late productionseason with a single summer (June/July) peak in production (4483mg Cm^–2 day^–1) and biomass (–160.6 mg chlorophyllm^–2). These differences have little influence on copepoddynamics. Both regions supported recurrent annual cycles ofcopepod abundance with similar seasonal maxima (182.8–241.810³ind. m^–2) and dominant species (Pseudocalanus elongatusand Acartia clausi). Specific rates of population increase inthe spring were 0.071 and 0.048 day¹ for the North Channel andstratified region, respectively. Increased copepod abundancein the stratified region coincided with the spring bloom, andwas significantly correlated with chlorophyll standing stock.Increased copepod abundance preceded the summer production peakin the North Channel. This increase was not correlated withchlorophyll standing crop, suggesting that a food resource otherthan phytoplankton may be responsible for the onset of copepodproduction prior to the spring bloom. Hetero-trophic microplanktonas an alternative food source, and advection of copepods fromthe stratified region, are proposed as possible explanationsfor copepod abundance increasing in advance of the summer peakin primary production.     

On the causes of interspecific differences in the growth-irradiance relationship for phytoplankton. Part I. A comparative study of the growth-irradiance relationship of three marine phytoplankton species: Skeletonema costatum, Olisthodiscus luteus and Gonyaulax tamarensis

Three marine phytoplankton species (Skeletonema costatum, Olisthodiscusluteus andGonyaulax tamarensis) were grown in batch culturesat 15°C and a 14:10 L:D cycle at irradiance levels rangingfrom 5 to 450 µEinst m^–2 s^–1. At each irradiance,during exponential growth, concurrent measurements were madeof cell division, carbon-specific growth rate, photosyntheticperformance (both O₂ and POC production), dark respiration,and cellular composition in terms of C, N and chlorophyll a.The results indicate that the three species were similar withrespect to chemical composition, C:N (atomic) = 6.9 ±0.4, photo-synthetic quotient, 1.43 ± 0.09, and photosyntheticefficiency, 2.3 ±0.1 x 10^–3 µmol O₂ (µgChl a)^–1 h^–1 (µEinst m^–2 s^–1)^–1.Differences in maximum growth rate varied as the –0.24power of cell carbon. Differences in growth efficiency, werebest explained by a power function of Chl a:C at µ = 0.Compensation intensities, ranged from 1.1 µEinst m^–2s^–1 for S. costatum to 35 forG. tamarensis and were foundto be a linear function of the maintenance respiration rate.The results indicate that interspecific differences in the µ–Irelationship can be adequately explained in terms of just threeparameters: cell carbon at maximum growth rate, the C:Chl aratio (at the limit as growth approaches zero) and the respirationrate at zero growth rate. A light-limited algal growth modelbased on these results gave an excellent fit to the experimentalµ–I curves and explained 97% of the observed interspecificvariability. ¹Present address: Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Columbiaof University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA     

Seasonal nitrogen assimilation and carbon fixation in a fjordic sea loch

Carbon (C) fixation and nitrogen (N) assimilation rates havebeen estimated from ¹⁴C and ¹⁵N techniques for a 12 month periodin a Scottish sea loch. The maximum rate of nitrogen assimilated(29.92 mmol N m^–2 day^–1) was in April at the mostseaward station; similar high rates were experienced duringMay at the other stations. Carbon fixation rates were maximal(488–4047 mg C m^–2day^–1) at the time of highphytoplankton biomass (maximum 8.3 mg m^–3 chlorophylla) during May, whilst nitrate concentrations remained >0.7µ.mol l^–1. C:N assimilation ratios suggest nitrogenlimitation only during the peak of the spring bloom, althoughat times nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) concentration fellto 0.2 µmol l^–1 in the following months. The verticalstability of the water column, influenced by tidal and riverineflushing, varied along the axis of the loch, resulting in markeddifferences between sampling stations. Although ammonium waspreferentially assimilated by phytoplankton, >50% of productionwas supported by nitrate uptake and only during the summer monthswas the assimilation of ammonium quantitatively important.     

A Dynamic Equation for Plant Interaction and Application to Yield-density-time Relations

On p. 527 the legend for Table 2 should read: TABLE 2. Measured and simulated dry matter production (g m^–2)of Wimmera ryegrass. Data from Donald (1951) and sentence 7 in the text should read: Measured yields (averaged over four replicates and convertedto g m^–2), simulated yields and estimated parameters aregiven in Table 3. On p. 528 the legends for Tables 4 and 5 should read: TABLE 4. Measured and simulated dry matter production (g m^–2)of maize. Data from Tetio-Kagho and Gardner (1988) TABLE 5. Measured and simulated dry matter production (g m^–2)of lucerne. Data from Jarvis (1962), averages of four replicates,planted at two different dates in two successive years and sentence 1 should read: The maximum biomass production (A) of 113 g m^–2 of f.wt.corresponds with 6.3 g m^–2 of dry matter.     

Life history, biomass and production of two planktonic cyclopoid copepods in a shallow subtropical reservoir

Two planktonic cyclopoid copepods (Tropocyclops prasinus andMesocyclops longisetus) were raised in the laboratory to obtainlife history information (duration of embryonic and post-embryonicdevelopment, reproductive performance, longevity, and stage-specificlength and weight values). Animals were maintained at 20 and25°C, and fed ad libitum. Development times were temperaturedependent when food was not limiting, with shorter periods ofembryonic and post-embryonic development and decreased longevityat 25°C. Laboratory data on the duration of developmentand biomass, together with population dynamics data obtainedin the field, were used to estimate summer and winter biomassand production of these species in a shallow reservoir, LagoaDourada, Brazil. The maximum production rate of T. prasinus,attained during summer, was 2.8 mg dry weight (DW) m^–3day^–1 and the highest daily production:biomass (P:B) ratiowas 0.29, whereas for M. longisetus the maximum production ratewas 1.4 mg DW m^–3 day^–1 and the highest daily P:Bratio was 0.39, in the winter. Over short time intervals (everyother day), there was great variability of the species productionrates. Species production rates were low compared to valuesreported in the literature for the same or other species ofequivalent sized copepods from both tropical and subtropicalregions.     

Biogeographic study of the planktonic communities of the Prince Edward Islands (Southern Ocean)

Microphytoplankton and zooplankton composition and distributionin the vicinity of the Prince Edward Islands and at the Sub-antarcticFront (SAF) were investigated in late austral summer (April/May)1996. Samples were collected for analysis of chlorophyll a concentration(Chi a), microphytoplankton and zooplankton abundance. Generally,the highest Chl a concentrations (up to 2.0 µg l^–1)and zooplankton densities (up to 192 ind. m^–3) were recordedat stations within the inter-island area while the lowest values(<0.4 µg l^–1) were observed at stations upstreamof the islands. High Chl a and zooplankton biomass values werealso associated with the SAF. Microphytoplankton were dominatedby chain-forming species of the genera Chaetoceros (mainly C.neglectus),Fragilariopsis spp. and the large diatom Dactyliosolen antarcticus.The zooplankton assemblages were always dominated by mesozooplanktonwhich at times contributed up to 98% of total zooplankton abundanceand up to 95% of total biomass. Among mesozooplankton, copepods,mainly Clausocalanus brevipes and Metridia lucens numericallydominated. Among the macrozooplankton euphausiids, mainly Euphausiavallentini, E.longirostis and Stylocheiron maximum, and chaetognaths(Sagitta gazellae) accounted for the bulk of abundance and biomass.Cluster and ordination analysis did not identify any distinctbiogeographic regions among either the microphytoplankton orzooplankton.     

Seasonal changes in zooplankton composition in the Barents Sea, with special attention to Calanus spp. (Copepoda)

The Barents Sea is an important area with respect to fisheriesresources (i.e. capelin and cod). In May, June and August 1981zooplankton biomass was measured along a transect at 30°E,from the ice border southwards. A maximum was recorded in Atlanticwater by the end of June (>100 g wet weight m^–2 InAugust the biomass values were relatively low south of the Polarfront and increased northwards into Arctic water (–50g m^–2 The species composition was influenced by the distributionof cold Arctic water and warmer Atlantic water. The zooplanktonwas dominated by the copepods Calanus finmarchicus and C. glacialis;the former is regarded as an Atlantic species and C. glacialisas an Arctic species.     

Seasonal and interannual variability of size-fractionated phytoplankton biomass and community structure at station Kerfix, off the Kerguelen Islands, Antarctica

Time series of phytoplankton biomass and taxonomic compositionhave been obtained for the 3 years 1992, 1993 and 1994 in thenorthern part of the Southern Ocean (station Kerfix, 5040'S,6825;E) Autotrophic biomass was low throughout the year (<0.2mg m^–3 except during a short period in summer when a maximumof 1.2 mg chlorophyll (Chl) a m– was reached. During winter,the integrated biomass was low (<10 mg m^–2) and associatedwith deeply mixed water, whereas the high summer biomass (>20mg m^–2) was associated with increased water column stability.During summer blooms, the >10 µ;m size fraction contributed60% to total integrated biomass. Large autotrophic dinoflagellates,mainly Prorocentrum spp., were associated with the summer phytoplankton maxima and accounted for >80% of the total autotrophcarbon biomass. In November and December, the presence of thelarge heterotrophic dinoflagellates Protoperidinium spp. andGyro dinium spp. contributed a high proportion of total carbonbiomass. During winter, the <10 µm size fraction contributed80% of total Chi a biomass with domination of the picoplanktonsize fraction. The natural assemblage included mainly nakedflagellates such as species of the Prasinophyceae, Cryptophyceaeand Prymnesiophyceae. During spring, picocyanobacteria occurredin sub-surface water with a maximum abundance in September of106 cells 1^–1     

Metazooplankton dynamics and secondary production of Daphnia magna (Crustacea) in an aerated waste stabilization pond

The seasonal dynamics of metazooplankton biomass was monitoredin an aerated waste stabilization pond during three consecutiveyears (1994–1996). The pond showed a low diversity ofplanktonic metazoans because of elevated pH, relatively highconcentration of free dissolved ammonia and low oxygen concentration.The planktonic community was composed of the anomopod branchiopodDaphnia magna, and the cyclopoid copepods Cyclops vicinus andCyclops strenuus. Both predation by cyclopoids and competitionwith D.magna excluded rotifers from the pond, except duringa short period in spring 1996. Daphnia magna was the dominantorganism from a biomass point of view. In parallel with biomass,demographic parameters, secondary production and the spatialdistribution of D.magna were studied. A significant seasonaland interannual variation in the density, biomass and productionof D.magna was observed. The maximum density of daphnids variedfrom 264 x 10³ to 686 x 10³ individuals m^–2 and the maximumbiomass from 4 to 30 g dry weight (DW) m^–2. The annualnet production was high compared with the production of Daphniain natural environments, ranging from 288 to 593 g DW m^–2year^–1. The annual net production of exuviae accountedfor ~25% of the total annual net production. Harvesting of daphnidsfor commercial applications that took place during the productiveperiod did not have any discernible effect on the populationdynamics of D.magna. Sexual reproduction was not observed duringthe three studied years. Negative mortality rates, occurringduring early spring, however, indicated that recruitment fromephippia was effective in the pond of Differdange and that sexualreproduction took place before 1994. Swarming was regularlyobserved in relation to high densities.     

Production of Penilia avirostris in Kingston Harbour, Jamaica

The cladoceran Penilia avirostris is one of the more abundantand widespread members of the crustacean zooplankton in nearshoretropical and subtropical waters. Its abundance, biomass, fecundity,development rate and production were estimated in Kingston Harbour,Jamaica, during an 18 month period. Mean annual abundance ofPenilia was 1821 m^–3, while biomass (excluding eggs/embryos)was 2.87 mg ash-free dry-weight (AFDW) m^–3 (43.1 mg AFDWm^–2), accounting for 13% of the copepod community biomass.Fecundity increased with body size. There was no clear seasonalpattern of abundance, size or fecundity, nor were physical orbiological variables correlated to these variations. Developmenttime averaged 20.5 h for juveniles and 41.4 h for adult femalesduring incubations; there was no clear evidence of a diel patternto molting. Growth rate appeared to be exponential, with correspondingsomatic growth rates, averaging 0.27 day^–1 for juveniles,and 0.34 day^–1 for somatic plus reproductive growth inadult females. Annual production was estimated as 173 kJ m^–2year^–1,     

Summer coastal zooplankton biomass and copepod community structure near the Italian Terra Nova Base (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica)

The structure of the zooplankton biotic community and of copepodpopulation in the coastal area of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea,Antarctica) was investigated during the 10th Italian AntarcticExpedition (1994/1995). Zooplankton biotic community consistedmainly of pteropods (Limacina helicina and Clione antarctica),Cyclopoid (Oithona similis), Poecilostomatoid (Oncaea curvata)and Calanoid (Ctenocalanus vanus, Paraeuchaeta antarctica, Metridiagerlachei and Stephos longipes) copepods, ostracods, larvalpolychaetes and larval euphausiids. Zooplankton abundance rangedfrom 48.1 ind m^–3 to 5968.9 ind m^–3, and copepodabundance ranged from 45.2 ind m^–3 to 3965.3 ind m^–3.The highest peak of zooplankton abundance was observed between25 m and the surface and was mainly due to the contributionof O. similis, O. curvata and C. vanus. Zooplankton biomassranged from 5.28 mg m^–3 to 13.04 mg m^–3 dry weight;the maximum value was observed between 25 m and the surface.Total lipid content varied from 216.44 to 460.73 mg g^–1dry weight.