Species composition, seasonal abundance and population structure of chaetognaths in Admiralty Bay (Antarctic)

Although chaetognaths inhabiting polar ecosystems are relatively well known, there are few reports on their functioning in the Antarctic coastal plankton community. The presented results provide the first comprehensive description of population structure of chaetognaths in the neritic zone west of t...

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Main Authors: Bielecka Luiza, Jerzak Bartłomiej, Złoch Ilona
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Polish Academy of Sciences 2016-06-01
Series:Polish Polar Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/popore.2016.37.issue-2/popore-2016-0017/popore-2016-0017.xml?format=INT
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author Bielecka Luiza
Jerzak Bartłomiej
Złoch Ilona
author_facet Bielecka Luiza
Jerzak Bartłomiej
Złoch Ilona
author_sort Bielecka Luiza
collection DOAJ
description Although chaetognaths inhabiting polar ecosystems are relatively well known, there are few reports on their functioning in the Antarctic coastal plankton community. The presented results provide the first comprehensive description of population structure of chaetognaths in the neritic zone west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The studies were performed on samples collected in Admiralty Bay, from December 1994 to June 1995. Following six chaetognath species were determined: Eukrohnia hamata, E. bathypelagica, E. fowleri, Pseudosagitta gazellae, P. maxima and Solidosagitta marri. The representatives of Eukrohnia were observed almost throughout the research period, whereas those of Pseudosagitta and Solidosagitta were found only during first four months of our investigation. Eukrohnia hamata showed a strong dominance in respect to abundance (max. 445 ind./1000 m3). The mean abundance of all taxa significantly fluctuated in the study period and across weeks. Generally, all species were represented by the first three maturity stages (I-III), individuals stage IV occurred sporadically, and mature specimens (stage V) were not recorded at all. Morphometric analysis of the most abundant species showed distinct differences in their total length and body proportions. Our findings may suggest that chaetognath populations in Admiralty Bay are migrant, dependent on the inflow of water from the Bransfield Strait, but to prove this statement further, round year study is necessary.
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spelling doaj.art-5c4d21362ec94e2ba31c7e9e18eb66e82022-12-21T19:24:11ZengPolish Academy of SciencesPolish Polar Research2081-82622016-06-0137230332410.1515/popore-2016-0017popore-2016-0017Species composition, seasonal abundance and population structure of chaetognaths in Admiralty Bay (Antarctic)Bielecka Luiza0Jerzak Bartłomiej1Złoch Ilona2 Zakład Funkcjonowania Ekosystemów Morskich, Instytut Oceanografii, Uniwersytet Gdański, al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Polska Zakład Badań Planktonu Morskiego, Instytut Oceanografii, Uniwersytet Gdański, al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Polska Zakład Biologii i Ekologii Morza, Instytut Oceanografii, Uniwersytet Gdański, al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, PolskaAlthough chaetognaths inhabiting polar ecosystems are relatively well known, there are few reports on their functioning in the Antarctic coastal plankton community. The presented results provide the first comprehensive description of population structure of chaetognaths in the neritic zone west of the Antarctic Peninsula. The studies were performed on samples collected in Admiralty Bay, from December 1994 to June 1995. Following six chaetognath species were determined: Eukrohnia hamata, E. bathypelagica, E. fowleri, Pseudosagitta gazellae, P. maxima and Solidosagitta marri. The representatives of Eukrohnia were observed almost throughout the research period, whereas those of Pseudosagitta and Solidosagitta were found only during first four months of our investigation. Eukrohnia hamata showed a strong dominance in respect to abundance (max. 445 ind./1000 m3). The mean abundance of all taxa significantly fluctuated in the study period and across weeks. Generally, all species were represented by the first three maturity stages (I-III), individuals stage IV occurred sporadically, and mature specimens (stage V) were not recorded at all. Morphometric analysis of the most abundant species showed distinct differences in their total length and body proportions. Our findings may suggest that chaetognath populations in Admiralty Bay are migrant, dependent on the inflow of water from the Bransfield Strait, but to prove this statement further, round year study is necessary.http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/popore.2016.37.issue-2/popore-2016-0017/popore-2016-0017.xml?format=INTAntarcticChaetognathataxa compositionpopulation structurebody size
spellingShingle Bielecka Luiza
Jerzak Bartłomiej
Złoch Ilona
Species composition, seasonal abundance and population structure of chaetognaths in Admiralty Bay (Antarctic)
Polish Polar Research
Antarctic
Chaetognatha
taxa composition
population structure
body size
title Species composition, seasonal abundance and population structure of chaetognaths in Admiralty Bay (Antarctic)
title_full Species composition, seasonal abundance and population structure of chaetognaths in Admiralty Bay (Antarctic)
title_fullStr Species composition, seasonal abundance and population structure of chaetognaths in Admiralty Bay (Antarctic)
title_full_unstemmed Species composition, seasonal abundance and population structure of chaetognaths in Admiralty Bay (Antarctic)
title_short Species composition, seasonal abundance and population structure of chaetognaths in Admiralty Bay (Antarctic)
title_sort species composition seasonal abundance and population structure of chaetognaths in admiralty bay antarctic
topic Antarctic
Chaetognatha
taxa composition
population structure
body size
url http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/popore.2016.37.issue-2/popore-2016-0017/popore-2016-0017.xml?format=INT
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AT jerzakbartłomiej speciescompositionseasonalabundanceandpopulationstructureofchaetognathsinadmiraltybayantarctic
AT złochilona speciescompositionseasonalabundanceandpopulationstructureofchaetognathsinadmiraltybayantarctic