Size and stage specific patterns in Salpa thompsoni vertical migration

Type Article
Date 2021-10
Language English
Author(s) Henschke Natasha1, Cherel Yves2, Cotté Cedric3, Espinasse Boris1, 4, Hunt Brian P.V.1, 4, 5, Pakhomov Evgeny A.1, 4, 5
Affiliation(s) 1 : Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
2 : Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
3 : Sorbonne Université, CNRS, IRD, MNHN, Laboratoire d'Océanographie et du Climat: Expérimentations et Approches Numériques (LOCEAN-IPSL), Paris, France
4 : Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
5 : Hakai Institute, PO Box 309, Heriot Bay, BC, Canada
Source Journal Of Marine Systems (0924-7963) (Elsevier BV), 2021-10 , Vol. 222 , P. 103587 (5p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2021.103587
WOS© Times Cited 6
Keyword(s) Salp, Diel vertical migration, Southern ocean, Salpa thompsoni, Kerguelen Plateau
Abstract

Vertical distribution and size-dependent migrations of the pelagic tunicate Salpa thompsoni were studied during late summer to early autumn (26th February – 15th March 2018) at contrasting hydrological stations over the Kerguelen Plateau (Southern Indian Ocean). Vertical migrators, such as S. thompsoni, have potentially significant impacts on the biological pump because of their large swarms, high grazing/fecal pellet production rates and extensive vertical migrations. S. thompsoni were undergoing diel vertical migration from a daytime weighted mean depth of ~450 m to a night time weighted mean depth of ~100 m. Smaller blastozooids and oozoids were the strongest vertical migrators, while their larger counterparts did not show a consistent diel cycle in their vertical distribution. Strong vertical migrations of the smallest blastozooids and oozoids imply high predation pressure on these groups. This knowledge has implications in modelling salp contributions to the vertical passive and active carbon fluxes.

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