Calycophorae (Siphonophora) in the open waters of the central and southern Adriatic Sea during spring 2002

Abstract

Twenty species of calycophoran siphonophores were identified from the central and south Adriatic Sea in spring 2002. Highest abundance and species diversity were noted at the deepest stations in the south Adriatic. Highest total abundance was found in the upper 100 m. The dominant species above 100 m were Lensia subtilis, Eudoxoides spiralis and Sphaeronectes gracilis, none of which showed diel migration. The first two species correlated significantly with the vertical abundance of microzooplankton, and the last with that of copepods. The most abundant species in the 100-400 m layer was Lensia meteori, whereas Lensia conoidea and Chlausophyes ovata were most abundant below 400 m.