Biodiv Sci ›› 2016, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (7): 757-766.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2015285

Special Issue: 全球气候变化下的海洋生物多样性专辑

• Original Papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Seasonal dynamics of planktonic pteropods in the Taiwan Strait, western North Pacific Ocean

Wen-Tseng Lo*(), Bor-Shiuan Lau   

  1. Institute of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, “Sun Yat-sen University”, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 80424,
  • Received:2015-10-21 Accepted:2016-07-14 Online:2016-07-20 Published:2016-08-04
  • Contact: Lo Wen-Tseng

Abstract:

Zooplankton samples and hydrographic data were collected in the Taiwan Strait (TS) on Fishery Research I cruises during the winter (January) and summer (July) of 2006, to investigate the seasonal and spatial distribution of planktonic pteropods associated with hydrographic conditions. Pteropod abundance and species diversity were higher in summer than in winter, while species richness showed no difference between seasons. The pteropod community structure was similar between seasons, but the abundance ranked differently. Creseis clava, C. acicula, and Limacina trochiformis predominated in summer. Together they accounted for 97% of the total pteropod catches, and, C. clava accounted for 62% of the total catch. Limacina inflata was the most common species in winter, and accounted for 72% of the total catch. The spatial distribution of the abundance of pteropods showed seasonal differences. Higher abundance in the southern TS occurred in winter but in the northern TS occurred in summer. Greater species richness and diversity of pteropods was usually observed in the southern TS during both seasons. Based on our results of hydrographical station groups and their biotic and environmental characteristics, we propose that in the study area the distribution pattern of the pteropod assemblage was closely correlated with the seasonal succession of water masses driven by monsoons.

http://jtp.cnki.net/bilingual/detail/html/SWDY201607004

Key words: Taiwan Strait, pteropods, distribution, monsoon, hydrography