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Spatial distributions and population dynamics of two salp species, Ihlea racovitzai and Salpa thompsoni, in the waters north of Lützow-Holm Bay (East Antarctica) during austral summers of 2005 and 2006

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Abstract

Information on the sequences of generations and reproductive states of salps in the Southern Ocean is essential for an improved understanding of salp population growth, although changes in distribution patterns of two species of salps, Salpa thompsoni and Ihlea racovitzai, in the Southern Ocean have the potential to alter the Southern Ocean ecosystem. We used stratified, quantitative sampling from the surface to 2,000 m depth with an RMT 8 net in January of 2005 and 2006 to determine the distribution and population structure of salps in the north of Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica. Ihlea racovitzai occurred in both 2005 and 2006, but S. thompsoni was found only in 2005. Ihlea racovitzai occurred abundantly along the ice edge where Antarctic Winter Water was well developed, whereas S. thompsoni was more abundant at northern stations affected by warm Modified Circumpolar Deep Water. Small solitary stages of I. racovitzai dominated in 2005, but they had declined significantly by 2006. The S. thompsoni population was composed of small immature aggregates and mature solitary stages, suggesting that the solitary stages were reproducing. We did not find mature aggregate and immature solitary stages in the present study and thus suggested that S. thompsoni was unable to complete its life cycle in the north of Lützow-Holm Bay because of failure of sexual reproduction in the aggregate stage. The S. thompsoni population was therefore probably transported to our study area by advection.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the captain, officers, and crew members of the TRV Umitaka Maru and all of the on-board cadets in the Advanced Course for Marine Science and Technology for their cooperation in sample collection. We are grateful to Drs. T. Ishimaru, Y. Yamaguchi, Y. Tanaka, and N. Miyazaki (TUMSAT) for their collaboration and valuable comments. We also thank our scientific colleagues from the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), Hokkaido University, and other institutes for help with processing samples and with hydrographic ship-based observations. Mr. R. Toda (TUMSAT) kindly helped us with producing some of the figures and with sorting zooplankton in net samples. Dr. G. W. Hosie (Australian Antarctic Division) provided critical input on the early draft. The present study was supported primarily by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Nos. 14255102 and 19255014 to T. Ishimaru and 16101001 to M. Fukuchi of the NIPR).

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  1. Atsushi Ono

    Present address: Geochemical Oceanography Office of Geochemical Analysis, Department of Marine Science, Marine Works Japan Ltd, 2-15 Natsushima, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan

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  1. Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato, Tokyo, 108-8477, Japan

    Atsushi Ono & Masato Moteki

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  1. Atsushi Ono
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Correspondence to Atsushi Ono.

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Ono, A., Moteki, M. Spatial distributions and population dynamics of two salp species, Ihlea racovitzai and Salpa thompsoni, in the waters north of Lützow-Holm Bay (East Antarctica) during austral summers of 2005 and 2006. Polar Biol 36, 807–817 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-013-1305-9

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