engleski

Spatial distribution of microzooplankton in the Boka Kotorska Bay (spring 2013)

An investigation into spatial distribution of microzooplankton composition and abundance, using 5L Niskin bottle, was performed during 3 cruises at 3 stations from March to May 2013. Non-loricate ciliates were the most abundant and contributed with 36% in total microzooplankton abundance. The highest densities were noted from the surface to the 10 m depth where a higher influence of fresh water and the higher chlorophyll a concentrations exists. Copepods nauplii participate with 31% in total microzooplankton abundance with higher values in the middle layer from 5 to 20 m depth. The postnaupliar copepods were more numerous from 10 m to the near-depth layer. For all microzooplankton groups were observed high positive correlations with nanophytoplankton densities. However, recorded values, for both phytoplankton and microzooplankton, were unusual low for the high productivity areas as Bokokotorska Bay, and were more similar to the oligotrophic waters of the open southern Adriatic. On the other hand, we noted uncommon high number of tintinnids species (52), and among them, a larger number of taxa specific for the open sea. Our results indicated the existence of specific interrelationships within the pelagic ecosystem of the Bokokotorska Bay during our investigation.

non-loricate cilates ; tintinnids ; southern Adriatic

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