Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Environmental influences on zooplankton and micronekton distribution in the Bransfield Strait and adjacent waters

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Polar Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The spatial distribution, biomass and size structure of key mesozooplankton species and micronekton in the Bransfield Strait (Antarctica) are described in relation to environmental variables during the austral summer 2001. Stratified (BIONESS) biological sampling at five depth-ranges and CTD casts were performed at 40 stations, including a cross-Strait transect. Six families, 11 genera and 16 species composed the total catch of larval and juvenile fish, which were more abundant in the upper 75 m. Trematomus scotti was the most abundant fish and large individuals dominated at depths >75 m. The fish distribution patterns were associated with the main water masses in the area and with bottom depth. Spatial segregation in density and biomass of krill (Euphausia superba) and salps (Salpa thompsoni) was observed at a relatively small scale, in relation to the main water masses. Also, size-related spatial segregation was found in krill. The present study suggests that the spatial distribution of krill, salps and early life stages of fish, are influenced by the main water masses in the Strait, and that species may adapt their reproductive strategies not only to seasonal production peaks, but to transport processes within water bodies that maximise their fitness through optimum temperature and/or trophic environments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alcaraz M, Saiz E, Fernandez JA, Trepat I, Figueiras F, Calbet A, Bautista B (1998) Antarctic zooplankton metabolism: carbon requirements and ammonium excretion of salps and crustacean zooplankton in the vicinity of the Bransfield Strait during January 1994. J Mar Syst 17:347–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke A, Johnston IA (1996) Evolution and adaptive radiation of Antarctic fishes. Trends Ecol Evol 11:212–218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clowes AJ (1934) Hydrology of the Bransfield Strait. Dis Rep IX:1–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Efremenko VN (1983) Illustrated guide to fish larvae of the Southern Ocean. Cybium 7:1–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Fach BA, Clinck JM (2006) Transport of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) across the Scotia Sea. Part I: circulation and particle tracking simulations. Deep Sea Res I 53:987–1010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García MA, Castro CG, Ríos AF, Doval MD, Rosón G, Gomis D, López O (2002) Water masses and distribution of physico-chemical properties in the Western Bransfield Strait and Gerlache Strait during Austral summer 1995/96. Deep Sea Res II 49:585–602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granata A, Cubeta A, Guglielmo L, Sidoti O, Greco S, Vacchi M, LaMesa M (2002) Ichthyoplankton abundance and distribution in the Ross Sea during 1987–1996. Pol Biol 25:187–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen W (1985) On distribution and population structure of Antarctic Chaetognatha. Meeresforsch 30:280–291

    Google Scholar 

  • Hernández-León S, Torres S, Gómez M, Montero I, Almeida C (1999) Biomass and metabolism of zooplankton in the Bransfield Strait (Antarctic Peninsula) during austral spring. Polar Biol 21:214–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heywood RB (1985) Environmental conditions in the Antarctic Peninsula area of the Southern Ocean during the Anglo-German Joint Biological Expedition, February 1982. Meeresforschung 30:220–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill HJ (1990) A new method for the measurement of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba Dana, from predator food samples. Polar Biol 10:300–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoddell RJ, Crossley AC, Williams R, Hosie GW (2000) The distribution of Antarctic pelagic fish and larvae (CCAMLR division 58.4.1). Deep Sea Res II 47:2519–2541

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston IA, Walesby NJ, Davison W, Goldspink G (1975) Temperature adaptation in myosin of Antarctic fish. Nature 254:74–75

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kellermann A (1986a) On the biology of early life stages of notothenioid fishes (Pisces) off the Antarctic Peninsula. Ber Polarforsch 31:1–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellermann A (1986b) Geographical distribution and abundance of postlarval and juvenile Pleuragramma antarcticum (Pisces, Notothenioidei) off the Antarctic Peninsula. Polar Biol 6:111–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellermann A (1990) Catalogue of early life stages of Antarctic notothenioid fishes. Ber Polarforsch 67:45–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellermann A, Kock KH (1984) Postlarval and juvenile notothenioids (Pisces: Perciformes) in the southern Scotia Sea and northern Weddell Sea during FIBEX 1981. Meeresforschung 30:82–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellermann A, Kock KH (1988) Patterns of spatial and temporal distribution and their variation in early life stages of Antarctic fish in the Antarctic Peninsula regions. In: Sahrhage D (ed) Antarctic Ocean and resources variability. Springer, Berlin, pp 147–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellermann A, Schadwinkel S (1991) Winter aspects of the ichthyoplankton community in the Antarctic Peninsula waters. Polar Biol 11:117–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellermann A, Slosarczyk W (1984) Distribution of post-larval and juvenile Nototheniodei in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean during FIBEX 1981. BIOMASS reports series 36, p 27

  • Kock KH (1989) Reproduction in fish around Elephant Island. Arch Fischereiwiss 3(9):171–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Kock KH, Kellermann A (1991) Reproduction in Antarctic notothenioid fish. Antarct Sci 3:125–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeb V (1991) Distribution and abundance of larval fishes collected in the western Bransfield Strait region, 1986–87. Deep Sea Res I 38:1251–1260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeb V, Puglise K, Outram D (1997) AMLR program: salps and other macrozooplankton collected from January to March 1997. Ant J US 32(5):131–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Nin B, Palomera I, Schadwinkel S (1995) Larval fish distribution and abundance in the Antarctic Peninsula region and adjacent waters. Polar Biol 15:143–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Nin B, Garcia MA, Lopez O (1998) Distribution of larval and juvenile Nototheniops larseni and Pleuragramma antarcticum off the Antarctic Peninsula in relation to oceanographic conditions. Cybium 22:69–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Niiler PP, Amos AF, Hu JH (1991) Water masses and 200 m relative geostrophic circulation in the western Bransfield Strait region. Deep Sea Res II 38:943–959

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nishikawa J, Naganobu M, Ichii T, Ishii H, Terazaki M, Kawaguchi K (1995) Distribution of salps near the South Shetland Islands during austral summer, 1990–1991 with special reference to krill distribution. Polar Biol 15:31–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • North AW, Kellermann A (1990) Key to the early stages of Antarctic fish. Ber Polarforsch 67:1–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Pakhomov EA, Froneman PW, Perissinotto R (2002) Salp/krill interactions in the Southern Ocean: spatial segregation and implications for the carbon flux. Deep Sea Res II 49:1881–1907

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perissinotto R, Pakhomov EA (1998) Contribution of salps to carbon flux of marginal ice zone of the Lazarev Sea, Southern Ocean. Mar Biol 131:25–32

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piatkowski U (1989) Macroplankton communities in Antarctic surface waters: spatial changes related to hydrography. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 55:251–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radke RL, Targett TE, Kellermann A, Bell JL, Hill KT (1989) Antarctic fish growth: profile of Trematomus newnesi. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 57:103–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruhl HA, Hastings PA, Zarubick LA, Jensen RM, Zdzitowiecki K (2003) Fish populations of Port Foster, Deception Island, Antarctica and vicinity. Deep Sea Res II 50:1843–1858

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlitzer R (2004) Ocean data view. http://www.awi-bremerhaven.de/GEO/ODV

  • Siegel V (2005) Distribution and population dynamics of Euphausia superba: summary of recent findings. Polar Biol 29:1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel V, Harm U (1996) The composition, abundance, biomass and diversity of the epipelagic zooplankton communities of the southern Bellingshausen Sea (Antarctic) with special reference to krill and salps. Arch Fish Mar Res 44:115–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Sievers HA (1982) Description of the physical oceanographic conditions in support of the study on the distribution and behaviour of krill. Ser Cient INACH 28:73–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Slosarczyk W (1986) Attempts at a quantitative estimate by trawl sampling of distribution of postlarval and juvenile notothenioids (Pisces: Perciformes) in relation to environmental conditions in the Antarctic Peninsula region during SIBEX 1983–84. Mem Natl Inst Polar Res (special issue) 40:299–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Slosarczyk W, Rembiszewski JM (1982) The occurrence of juvenile Notothenioidei (Pisces) within krill concentrations in the region of the Bransfield Strait and the southern Drake Passage. Pol Polar Res 3:299–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Swadling KM, Ritz DA, Nicol S, Osborn JE, Gurney LJ (2005) Respiration rate and cost of swimming for Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, in large groups in the laboratory. Mar Biol 146:1169–1175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka S (1973) Stock assessment by means of ichthyoplankton surveys. In: Hempel G (ed) Fish egg and larval surveys (contribution to a manual), FAO Fish Tech Pap 122:33–51

  • Targett TE (1981) Trophic ecology and structure of coastal Antarctic fish communities. Mar Ecol Progr Ser 4:243–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tarling GA, Shreeve RS, Hirst AG, Atkinson A, Pond DW, Murphy EJ, Watkins JL (2006) Natural growth rates in Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba). I. Improving methodology and predicting intermolt period. Limnol Oceanogr 51:959–972

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vázquez E, Ameneiro J, Putzeys S, Gordo C, Sangrà P (2007) Distribution of meroplankton communities in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 338:119–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White MG, North AW (1987) Postlarval Notothenioidei and midwater fish collected during the SIBEX cruise by British Antarctic Survey, 1985. In: Kullander SO, Fernholm B (eds) Proc Congr Europ Ichthyol, Stockholm 1985, pp 405–411

  • Zhou M, Niiler PP, Hu J-H (2002) Surface currents in the Bransfield and Gerlache Straits, Antarctica. Deep Sea Res I 49:267–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou M, Niiler PP, Zhu Y, Dorland RD (2006) The western boundary current in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. Deep Sea Res I 53:1244–1252

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the project REN2000-2987-E/ANT of the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. The authors are particularly thankful to B. Molí and A. Castelló for their great help in the cruise. Thanks also go to the rest of the participants in the cruise for their collaborative spirit. We would also like to express our gratitude to two anonymous referees for their useful corrections and suggestions to the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats (UIB-CSIC), C/Miquel Marqués 21, 07190, Esporles, Illes Balears, Spain

    I. A. Catalán & B. Morales-Nin

  2. Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Passeig Maritim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    J. B. Company, I. Palomera & M. Emelianov

  3. Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries, Ctra. Poble Nou, Km 5,5, 43540, Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Tarragona, Spain

    G. Rotllant

Authors
  1. I. A. Catalán
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. Morales-Nin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. B. Company
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G. Rotllant
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. I. Palomera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. Emelianov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to I. A. Catalán.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Catalán, I.A., Morales-Nin, B., Company, J.B. et al. Environmental influences on zooplankton and micronekton distribution in the Bransfield Strait and adjacent waters. Polar Biol 31, 691–707 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-008-0408-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-008-0408-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation