Year-to-year changes of the mesozooplankton community in the Chukchi Sea during summers of 1991, 1992 and 2007, 2008

A recent drastic decrease in sea ice cover area was observed in the western Arctic Ocean during summer, yet little information is available for its effect on zooplankton community. To evaluate the effect of sea ice reduction on zooplankton, we studied year-to-year changes of zooplankton community structure in the Chukchi Sea during summers of 1991, 1992 (when sea ice extended), 2007, and 2008 (when sea ice reduced). Zooplankton abundance ranged from 4,000 to 316,000 ind. m⁻² (mean: 70,000) and was greater north of Lisburne Peninsula in 2008. Zooplankton biomass ranged from 0.07 to 286 g wet mass m⁻² (mean: 36) and was greater south of Lisburne Peninsula in 2007. Cluster analysis based on zooplankton abundance showed a division of the zooplankton community into four groups. Occurrence of each group was separated geographically and interannually, and geographic distributions of each group in 1991 and 1992 were similar but those in 2007 and 2008 were shifted northward. Abundance and biomass in 2007/2008 were higher than in 1991/1992, indicating that further sea ice reduction would have a positive effect on zooplankton production (e.g. invasion of large Pacific species and temperature effects on their growth rate). The northern shift in geographic distribution of the zooplankton community in 2007/2008 indicates that sea ice reduction would have a negative effect on the zooplankton community (loss of characteristic Arctic species) in part of the Chukchi Sea. These apparently contradictory effects of sea ice reduction on zooplankton community emphasize the critical need for continued monitoring in this area.     

Zooplankton composition and distribution off the coast of Galicia, Spain

During June and September 1984, zooplankton samples were collectedwith other hydrographic and biological data along the Galiciancoast (NW of Spain). In June copepods contributed {small tilde}60%to the total zooplankton community, with larvaceans, siphonophoresand cladocerans also abundant. In September >90% of the zooplanktonsampled were copepods. The dominant species of copepods in bothJune and September were Acartia clausi, Paracalanus parvus andTemora longicornis. The meroplankton was dominated by echinoderms,bryozoans, barnacle larvae and bivalve larvae. In June the averagezooplankton biomass was 31.08 mg C m^–3; the Septemberaverage was 41.69 mg C m^–3. The relationship between theslopes of the regression equations (biomass versus abundance)suggests that the zooplankton assemblage in June was composedby larger animals than in September. The major concentrationof zooplankton was between 0 and 50 m, with both June and Septemberdaytime surface samples having 6–7 times the amount oforganisms than the lower water column (50–100 m). Therewere no distinct differences in total zooplankton abundancesat the inshore and offshore stations; however, the inshore stationsoften had a higher percentage of meroplankton than the offshorestations. In June zooplankton abundance at the northern transectsand the western transects was similar. In September there weregreater concentrations of zooplankton in the western Galicianshelf as compared with the northern shelf. These differencesin the horizontal distribution of the zooplankton were relatedto upwelling events.     

南沙群岛美济礁海域夏季浮游动物群落特征

浮游动物是珊瑚礁生态系统中的重要组成部分,但国内相关研究相对较少。利用2012年7月在南沙群岛美济礁海域开展的13个站次的海洋生物调查数据,对美济礁浮游动物的群落特征进行研究,表明:(1)美济礁浮游动物种类组成丰富,共出现15个类群138种(类)浮游动物;(2)优势种组成复杂、区域变化明显,单一种的优势度不高;(3)浮游动物平均密度和湿重生物量分别为117.70个/m3、69.01 mg/m3,浮游幼虫在总密度中所占比例最大;(4)浮游动物非常丰富,多样性程度较高。平均丰富度、多样性指数和均匀度分别为4.93、3.33和0.67;(5)浮游动物可划分为2个群落,分别为潟湖-礁坪区群落和向海坡群落;(6)受珊瑚礁不同生物地貌带的空间异质性和水动力条件的影响,美济礁浮游动物群落区域差异明显。潟湖区浮游动物多样性较高,生物量最低;礁坪区浮游动物数量大,但分布不均匀,且多样性水平最低;向海坡区浮游动物种类最多、多样性非常丰富,但栖息密度最低。     

The importance of zooplankton in the diets of three native fish species in floodplain waterholes of a dryland river,the Macintyre River,Australia

The zooplankton of freshwater systems has been recognized as an important energy resource for fish of small body size that, in turn, provide energy to piscivorous fish consumers higher up the food web. This study evaluates the importance of zooplankton to the diets of three species of fish living in floodplain waterholes of an Australian dryland river. The species selected for study represent different trophic categories in waterhole food webs: Ambassis agassizii is a microcarnivore, Leiopotherapon unicolor is an omnivore, and Nematalosa erebi is a detritivore. Dietary differences among size classes of each species were also evaluated to understand possible ontogenetic shifts in zooplankton consumption. Ambassis agassizii fed primarily on zooplankton (99.9%, made up mostly of 81.6% Calanoida and 17.4% Moinidae), regardless of the size of individual fish. Leiopotherapon unicolor fed on zooplankton (47%, mostly Daphniidae and Moinidae) and aquatic insects (46.7%). Smaller individuals of Leiopotherapon unicolor (30–49 mm TL—total length) were responsible for 36.1% of the plankton consumed by the species. Nematalosa erebi fed on detritus (84.6%) with zooplankton (Calanoida, Moinidae, and Cyclopoida) contributing only 13.7% of the mean diet. Smaller individuals (40–69 mm TL) were responsible for 98% of the plankton consumed by Nematalosa erebi, and individuals of 40–49 mm (TL) fed exclusively on zooplankton (53.8% Moinidae and 46.2% Calanoida). Although the three fish species had different diets, reflecting differences in species-specific and ontogenetic morphological and behavioral characteristics, zooplankton formed the basis of the diet of all species when young. These results confirm the importance of zooplankton as a major food resource for three fish species and smaller size classes of these species in floodplain waterholes of the Macintyre River, Australia. Guest editors: U. M. Azeiteiro, I. Jenkinson & M. J. Pereira Plankton Studies     

Zooplankton, especially calanoid copepods, in the upper 1000 m of the south-east Arabian Sea

Abstract. Vertical distribution of zooplankton in the upper1000 m was studied from the south-east Arabian Sea in orderto determine the variations in zooplankton at different depths.The distribution and migration patterns of calanoid copepodspecies were given special attention. The mean zooplankton standingstock in the upper 1000 m was 2.1 g dry Wt m^–2, of which97.7% was concentrated in the upper 400 m. Herbivores were generallymore abundant at all depths, but did not predominate. An increasein zooplankton at night occurred in the upper 200 m, as wellas at the 600–1000 m stratum. The maximum diversity ofcalanoid copepods also coincided with these two depths. Basedon vertical ranges, the calanoid copepod species were assignedto three groups: (i) species occurring predominantly in theepipelagic layer and forming the bulk of the calanoids; (ii)relatively sparser deeper living species confined below 200m; and (iii) species occurring throughout the water column.Some amount of vertical niche separation among congeneric specieswas indicated. While some species showed active migration, agood number of species were non- migratory.     

Annual cycle of zooplankton community in the Abra Harbour (Bay of Biscay): abundance, composition and size spectra

The annual cycle of the zooplankton community in a coastal embaymentof the Bay of Biscay was studied from data on zooplankton fractionslarger than 45 and 250 µm Smaller zooplankton and chlorophyllmaxima coincided in summer, while larger zooplankton reachedthe maximum in spring. Copepods dominated in both fractionsmost of the year, being copepod nauplii and postnaupliar stagesof Oithona nana and Paracalanus parvus the main constituentsof the microzooplankton maxima, and older copepodites and adultsof Acartw clausi of the meso-macrozooplankton maxima. Secondarypeaks of abundance due to protozoan blooms of Steno-semellanivalu, in early spring, and Noctiluca santillans, in summer,were also observed in smaller and larger fractions respectively.The collapse of phytoplankton biomass in early autumn was followedby a strong decrease of zooplankton in mid autumn. From thisperiod to winter, chlorophyll and zooplankton abundance showedsmall variations, but noticeable changes in the compositionand size spectra of zooplankton were observed. In winter, valuesof chlorophyll and zooplankton abundance reached minima, A.clausidominated the copepod assemblage and carnivorous zooplankterswere absent or negligible The annual development of the mainpredator populations (Sagitta frideria, Luiopc tetraphylla andanchovies) were found to be synchronized with the variationsin abundance and size spectra of zooplankton in the study area.     

Zooplankton community structure, micro-zooplankton grazing impact, and seston energy content in the St. Johns river system, Florida as influenced by the toxic cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii

Zooplankton can influence the phytoplankton community through preferential grazing. In turn, nuisance cyanobacteria may affect zooplankton community structure by allowing certain species to out-compete others. We examined zooplankton-phytoplankton interactions, micro-zooplankton (< 200 m) grazing, and biochemical components of the seston in the St. Johns River System (SJR), Florida in the presence and absence of the toxin-producing cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. We tested whether this cyanobacterium would cause a decrease in the size structure of the zooplankton community and postulated a resultant decline in the metabolic energy and carbon available to higher consumers (i.e. fish). When numbers of C. raciborskii were low or undetectable, zooplankton were more diverse and were comprised of larger species. Rotifers were the dominant zooplankton, and their numbers relative to other zooplankton increased as C. raciborskii concentrations increased. Micro-zooplankton grazing was higher in times of C. raciborskii abundance, suggesting competitive and predatory exclusion by larger zooplankton in times of higher phytoplankton diversity. Total caloric content of the seston was higher in times of C. raciborskii abundance. However, essential fatty acids and phosphorus may be lacking in the seston, or nutrients may potentially be sequestered by the cyanobacteria and remain as organic matter in the water column. In such cases, higher trophic levels would not be able to obtain optimal energy requirements. Overall, there was a greater impact of micro-grazers on phytoplankton in the presence of C. raciborskii and apparent negative effects on the larger zooplankton species, suggesting a potential for changes in zooplankton and higher trophic level community structure.     

Structure,Dynamics and Production of Mesozooplankton Community in the Bothnian Bay,Related to Environmental Factors

Studies on the zooplankton community of the Bothnian Bay (BB), the northernmost basin of the Baltic Sea, were carried out in 1976–78. Only 8–14 taxa dominated in the zooplankton community. The highest abundances and biomasses occurred during the warmest period or immediately afterwards, in July–September. The production of zooplankton was estimated to be 3.1–7.8 g C · m⁻². a⁻¹ in the coastal area and 2.5–3.6 g C · m⁻² · a⁻¹ in the open sea. During the short growing season (June–September) the biomass turnover took place in about 11 days. The productivity of zooplankton is discussed in relation to available food of both autochthonous and allochthonous origin and compared with the other parts of the Baltic Sea.     

Preliminary Studies on the Association Between Zooplankton and the Stramenopilan Fungi, Aplanochytrids

The relationship of the marine heterokont stramenopilan protists, the aplanochytrids, with the zooplankton was studied in coastal waters. The aplanochytrids were fed to the zooplankton specimens and observed for grazing by two different approaches: [1] using fluorescently-labeled prey approach and [2] using internal transcribed spacer-based molecular probe and in situ hybridization approach. The aplanochytrid cells were detected in the guts as well as fecal pellets of the zooplankton, thus serving as prey to them. Aplanochytrids were consistently isolated from zooplankton specimens. The isolates did not produce a wide array of enzymes, implicating that they may not play a major role in degradation of zooplankton exoskeleton. They were found to produce only protease considerably and sometimes lipase too. The amplified rDNA restriction analysis showed similar patterns, suggesting that most of the isolates might be same strains of Aplanochytrium spp. The existence of aplanochytrids with the zooplankton in marine waters points towards their probable association either as predator–prey or as commensalistic rather than saprophytic type of association.     

Midsummer zooplankton assemblages in four types of wetlands in the Upper Midwest,USA

The objective of this study was to characterize the zooplankton and phytoplankton assemblages of four different types of wetlands and to evaluate their use as environmental indicators. Total abundances, community composition, and species diversity were evaluated for zooplankton and phytoplankton assemblages from 24 wetlands and related to water quality variables. During August 1995, six representative sites were sampled from four types of wetlands designated as constructed, impacted, non-impacted, or temporary. The plankton assemblages of all wetlands were dominated by cosmopolitan crustacean, rotifer, and phytoplankton taxa typical of lake plankton communities. Species diversity, richness, and evenness of zooplankton and phytoplankton assemblages did not differ significantly among the wetland types. Total zooplankton abundance was significantly (p < 0.01) related to chlorophyll a and total phosphorus concentrations over the range of trophic conditions. Mean zooplankton densities and phytoplankton biovolumes were similar among the wetlands, however, the relative abundances of major zooplankton groups differed among the wetland types. Cyanophytes, primarily Oscillatoria spp., were a major component of the phytoplankton across all four wetland types, and were significantly more abundant within the constructed and temporary sites. On average, rotifers accounted for 79% of total zooplankton abundance within the constructed wetlands and were much less dominant in the non-impacted and temporary wetlands. Cladoceran, copepodite, and adult copepod concentrations were low in the constructed and impacted wetlands and increased in the non-impacted and temporary wetlands in conjunction with increased chlorophytes and cryptophytes. Our preliminary survey suggests that abiotic factors which are known to directly affect phytoplankton may indirectly affect zooplankton composition in such a way as to use zooplankton assemblages as indicators of water quality. However, further study incorporating seasonal dynamics and the influence of predators on zooplankton assemblages is needed to fully assess the use of zooplankton community composition as an environmental indicator for wetland systems. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Zooplankton Composition,Diversity and Physicochemical Features of Bandam Kommu Pond,Medak District,Telangana, India

The present investigation aims to study the zooplankton composition, diversity along with physicochemical profile in a chosen pond at Medak district from December, 2010 to November, 2012. The study revealed the occurrence of 80 zooplankton species including 60 rotifers, 18 cladocerans and 02 copepods. Zooplankton density fluctuated between 119 and 26,463/L, diversity H′ = 0.89–2.68, species richness 5–21 and dominance 18.6–74.1 % over the 2 years study period. Rotifers were more predominant than other zooplankton communities, especially family Brachionidae and Lecanidae. High density of the overall zooplankton community was due to more rotifer population and the numerical dominance of the species Brachionus angularis, B. calyciflorus, B. caudatus, Keratella tropica, Filinia terminalis and Epiphanies mucronata. It was observed that the zooplankton density significantly correlates with pH values of the pond. Physicochemical profile of the pond shows tropical climate, hard water and alkaline in nature. Chloride content was found to be high may be due to the anthropogenic pressure and influx of sewage. The high content of phosphate and nitrate reveals that the pond is enriched with nutrients. This has significant correlation with zooplankton dominance. The present findings clearly indicates the eutrophication of the pond.     

疏浚后杭州西湖浮游动物群落的变化

2003年1-12月调查了疏浚后杭州两湖(小型、浅水、富营养化湖泊)四个采样站(Ⅰ-Ⅳ)浮游动物群落的变化。研究包括优势种组成、密度和生物量,以及浮游动物生物量与水体叶绿素a、有机物耗氧量、总氮和总磷含量之间的相关分析。疏浚后,Ⅲ-Ⅳ站原生动物第一优势种由似铃壳虫(Tintinnopsis sp.)变为筒壳虫(Tintinnidium sp.);Ⅲ-Ⅳ站轮虫第一优势种由暗小异尾轮虫(Trichocerca pusilla)变为针簇多肢轮虫(Polyarthra trigla);Ⅰ站的长额象鼻溞(Bosmina longirostris)和Ⅲ站的微型裸腹溞(Moina micrura)分别取代了长肢秀体溞(Diaphanosoma leuchtenbergianum)第一优势种的地位;桡足类中,剑水蚤优势种为粗壮温剑水蚤(Thermocyclops dybowskii),哲水蚤优势种为汤匙华哲水蚤(Sinocalanus dorrii)。疏浚后,西湖浮游动物平均密度增加了80.5%,其中原生动物密度增量贡献57.3%。平均生物量增加了49.7%,其中轮虫生物量增量贡献36.5%。西湖浮游动物生物量与水体叶绿素a、有机物耗氧量和总磷含量之间均呈垃著的正相关关系。不同采样站中,以Ⅳ站环境生态因子与浮游动物生物量之间的相关程度最高,其次为Ⅲ站、Ⅰ站和Ⅱ站,水体环境生态因子对浮游动物的影响程度与其优势利演变的体现相一致。在不同浮游动物类群中,枝角类生物量与水质生态因子之间的相关程度最高,其次为轮虫、桡足类和原生动物。     

Differential zooplankton feeding behaviors,selectivities, and community impacts of two planktivorous fishes

Synopsis We examined the feeding behaviors and selectives of two common planktivorous fishes, pumpkinseeds Lepomis gibbosa and fathead minnows Pimephales promelas in the laboratory. Ingestion rates for both pumpkinseeds and fathead minnows feeding on zooplankton increased as a function of fish length. Pumpkinseeds fed on zooplankton strictly as particulate feeders, with preferences increasing as a function of zooplankton body size regardless of taxonomic identity. Preferences were highest for large Daphnia, intermediate for intermediate-sized copepods, and lowest for small Ceriodaphnia. Fathead minnows displayed the ability to use both particulate-feeding and filter-feeding behaviors. Differential preferences tended to reflect both zooplankton size and taxon, being highest for large, slow-swimming Daphnia, intermediate for small Ceriodaphnia, and lowest for faster-swimming copepods. These differences in prey capture behaviors and preferences of the two fishes are reflected in the zooplankton taxonomic composition of small ponds containing each fish type. The crustacean zooplankton assemblages in ponds containing both pumpkinseeds and fathead minnows were dominated by copepods. Cladocerans were rare. In ponds containing pumpkinseeds, but no fathead minnows, cladocerans were abundant, generally accounting for up to 80% of total crustacean zooplankton biomass. These results suggest that the type of planktivore, and not simply the presence or abundance of planktivores in a system, can determine zooplankton community structure.     

The Freshwater Zooplankton of Sri Lanka,with a Discussion of Tropical Freshwater Zooplankton Composition

Based on the study of over 500 zooplankton samples collected in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) during 1965–1974, the species composition from different habitats is analysed. The zooplankton assemblage is typically tropical with relatively few species of Cladocera and Copepoda. The Rotifera include a large number of species of the genus Brachionus. The limnetic zooplankton resembles the pond zooplankton closely in that all the eurytopic species found in the different types of habitats, including ponds, also occur in the limnetic zooplankton. The large Cladocera belonging to the genus Daphnia are very rare. In general, large zooplankters are absent. The size composition of the zooplankton has a smaller range than in temperate regions. This is due to the absence of large-sized zooplankton species. The reasons for the differences in species variety and size composition between zooplankton of temperate and tropical regions is perhaps due to a number of factors. These include the effects of high and uniform temperatures, food availability and predation by fish and invertebrates.     

Field and experimental evidence of the effect of Jenynsia multidentata, a small omnivorous–planktivorous fish, on the size distribution of zooplankton in subtropical lakes

1. Small cladocerans, copepod nauplii and rotifers often dominate the zooplankton community in tropical and subtropical lakes. This is probably because of high predation pressure by small omnivorous–planktivorous fish, but experimental evidence is scarce.
2. This study used two approaches to test the effect of the small omnivorous–planktivorous fish species Jenynsia multidentata , which is frequently abundant in (sub)tropical eutrophic lakes in South America, on the size distribution of zooplankton. In Lake Blanca (Uruguay), which lacks any piscivores, we sampled seasonally for both fish and zooplankton. We also conducted an outdoor mesocosm experiment with treatments containing or lacking J. multidentata .
3. Together, the empirical and experimental data suggest that J. multidentata predation plays an important role in modulating the size structure of the zooplankton community in subtropical lakes. In the absence of J. multidentata , stocked large-sized zooplankters like Daphnia obtusa were abundant in the experiments, while small-sized zooplankton dominated in the presence of fish, as they did in the lake itself from spring to the end of the season.     

Feeding behavior of the cichlid,Sarotherodon galilaeum: selective predation on Lake Kinneret zooplankton

In laboratory feeding trials, we analyzed the feeding behavior and selectivity of the cichlid, Sarotherodon galilaeum, for zooplankton prey from Lake Kinneret, Israel. The feeding behavior was dependent on fish size. Fish less than 20 mm SL fed on zooplankton as obligate particulate feeders. Fish from 20 to 42 mm SL fed either as particulate feeders or as filter feeders. Fish larger than 62 mm SL fed as obligate filter feeders. Particulate-feeding fish were size selective and had highest feeding electivities for large-sized zooplankton species. Filter-feeding fish had highest feeding electivities for zooplankton species with poor escape ability. In general, S. galilaeum predation pressure would be greatest on Ceriodaphnia reticulata, a large-bodied and easily captured species which is selected by both particulate-feeding and filter-feeding fish.     

A model for switching between particulate-feeding and filter-feeding in the common bream,Abramis brama

Synopsis A model has been developed to describe the process of switching between particulate- and filter-feeding in common bream, Abramis brama, in relation to fish size and zooplankton density. The model assumes that the encounter rate of fish and zooplankton is determined by the density of zooplankton and the swimming speed of fish. However, if zooplankton density is so high as to allow at least one prey to be engulfed per random snap, the encounter rate is determined by the volume of the buccal cavity and by zooplankton density, but is independent of swimming speed. The snapping frequency will be maximal at the time of switching, decreasing with increasing zooplankton density because of the extra time needed for intra-oral prey handling. The model predicted switching from particulate- to filter-feeding only for bream> 15 cm standard length at zooplankton densities < 500 l^-1. The snap frequency of six size classes of bream (7.5, 10.4, 12.5, 15, 24 and 29.5 cm) was measured at varying densities of Daphnia. The model predictions for snap frequencies of all size classes corresponded to the highest values observed. The average of the observed snap frequencies was only 50% of the predicted values, probably because the calculated average distance between prey animals assumed an ideal swimming route of the fish and error-free vision for particulate-feeding, and the handling time was ignored.     

Spatial variations in the composition and abundance of zooplankton in the Bahir Dar Gulf of Lake Tana, Ethiopia

The zooplankton in the littoral and open water zones of Bahir Dar Gulf, Lake Tana, collected in June and July 2007, were investigated using basic statistical measurement of diversity indices and one way analysis of variance to characterize the zooplankton fauna, with respect to its composition, abundance and spatial distribution patterns. The zooplankton composition was typical of a tropical freshwater lake, with a total of 44 species made up of sixteen rotifers, sixteen c1adocerans and twelve copepods and their developing stages in the following order of dominance; Rotifera > Cladocera > Cylopoida > Calanoida. Variation in spatial distribution was noticeable, the abundance of zooplankton was significantly higher ( P  < 0.05) at the littoral zone (Stations 2 and 3) than the open water (Station 1) as a result of the preponderance of the small-bodied nauplii stages, small rotifers and c1adocerans particularly Bosmina longirostris . Species richness, evenness, and diversity also increased as abundance increased in the littoral zones of the lake. The rotifers, particularly the brachionids Keratella and Brachionus spp., which are considered good indicators of lake trophic status constituted the dominant zooplankton group in terms of abundance and diversity, thus indicating that the lake has a high fisheries potential.     

Studies on the zooplankton community of a shallow lagoon of the Southern Baltic Sea: long-term trends,seasonal changes,and relations with physical and chemical parameters

The Darß-Zingst Lagoon, a coastal inlet of the southern Baltic Sea, was subject to extended monitoring. The biomass data of zooplankton from 1969 to 2001 were used to analyze long-term trends and to correlate zooplankton biomass with abiotic factors. The dominant species in the lagoon were the calanoid copepods Eurytemora affinis and Acartia tonsa, and the rotifer Keratella cochlearis f. tecta. In the long-term trend, two pronounced changes in zooplankton biomass and species composition were observed. They are discussed in connection with a shift in dominance from macrophytes to phytoplankton and the invasion of a polychaet species into the lagoon. Significant relations between zooplankton data and abiotic parameters were found. While temperature, precipitation and NAO winter index correlated positively with copepods and negatively with rotifers, the relationships were inversely for pH-value and duration of ice cover.     

Zooplankton in the Schelde estuary, Belgium and the Netherlands: long-term trends in spring populations

A compilation of available data in between 1967 and 2002 on spring zooplankton abundance was made for the brackish and the freshwater zone of the Schelde estuary. The general picture is a significant increase of 1–2 orders of magnitude in abundance for Rotifera, Copepoda and Branchiopoda (mainly Cladocera) in the freshwater zone, while zooplankton abundance in the brackishwater zone remained more constant. Possible natural and management related causes for this increase in zooplankton abundance are briefly discussed.