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Vertical distribution and abundance of pelagic cnidarians in the eastern Weddell Sea, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2009

P.R. Pugh ,
F. Pages  and
B. Boorman
P.R. Pugh
Affiliation:
Southampton Oceanography Centre, Empress Dock, Southampton, S014 3ZH.
F. Pages
Affiliation:
institut de Cièncias del Mar (CSIC), Passeig Nacional s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
B. Boorman
Affiliation:
Southampton Oceanography Centre, Empress Dock, Southampton, S014 3ZH.
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Abstract

The species composition, abundance and vertical distribution of micronektonic cnidarians has been investigated in the upper 2800 m at Discovery Station 9969, located in the cold regime in the eastern Weddell Sea, Antarctica. In total 22 siphonophore and 20 medusan species were identified. Overall siphonophores were more abundant than medusae, but the latter usually contributed much more to the biovolume. On average, cnidarians contributed more than 50% to the total biovolume of each catch; and they contributed >70% to the combined total of all the samples. Despite the high water content of these animals, these large biovolumes meant that the cnidarians formed ∼25% of the total carbon in each catch. The possible impact of these gelatinous cnidarian populations on the ecosystem is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 77 , Issue 2 , May 1997 , pp. 341 - 360
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1997

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