1. Variability of epipelagic macrozooplankton/micronekton community structure in the NW Weddell Sea, Antarctica (1995–1996).
- Author
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Fisher, E. C., Kaufmann, R. S., and Smith Jr., K. L.
- Subjects
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PLANKTON , *AQUATIC biology , *ENVIRONMENTAL monitoring , *STATISTICAL sampling , *ENVIRONMENTAL engineering , *SPECIES - Abstract
Macrozooplankton/micronekton in the epipelagic zone (0–100 m) of the NW Weddell Sea were sampled with a 10 m2 multiple opening-closing net environmental sampling system (MOCNESS) trawl during three cruises in 1995 and 1996. A total of 40 species were collected during all cruises. Community composition, as measured using Bray-Curtis analysis and multi-dimensional scaling, permitted separation into two groups: group 1 included samples collected during September–October 1995 and group 2 contained samples collected during April-May 1996 and November–December 1996. Zooplankton collections were dominated by Thysanoessa macrura in September–October 1995 (high pack-ice cover) and by both Euphausia superba and Salpa thompsoni in April–May 1996 (intermediate pack-ice cover) and November–December 1996 (open water). Copepods were not sampled quantitatively by the MOCNESS trawl and were not included in this analysis. Trends in measured parameters of community structure are discussed with respect to environmental characteristics during each sampling period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
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