Skip to main content
Log in

Patchy distribution of zooplankton: Behavior, population assessment and sampling problems

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Zooplankton and micronekton are often highly aggregated. Density in aggregations can reach 100 to more than 1000 times the average density of the population as estimated by net sampling. In order to assess true abundance of the animals and understand the significance of the aggregations, more information is needed on the behavior and population ecology of individual species and the species-specific attributes of discrete assemblages. We present information on patterns of intense aggregations of protozoans, platyhelminthes, scyphomedusae, copepods, mysids, and sergestids from our own observations. Characteristics behaviors of different species include feeding swarms of Noctiluca miliaris, behaviorally maintained swarms of planktonic flatworms, diel horizontal migration of Mastigias sp. swarms, three patterns of copepod swarms, bathymetric zonation of mysid schools, and seasonal migration and near bottom swarming of Sergia lucens. After the principles were demonstrated, we consider how to relate sampling, behavior, and population dynamics. We stress that the methodology is the result of the question, not the other way round. To tackle the problems associated with “behavior” in the open ocean, which we did not observe from the surface, it is necessary to sample in more than one way to extract data on differences in population-specific biology that alternative methods supply.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Aleyev, Y. G.: Nekton, 435 pp. The Hague: Dr. W. Junk 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Alldredge, A. L.: The chemical composition of macroscopic aggregates in two neritic seas. Limnol. Oceanogr. 24, 855–866 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Aschoff, J. (ed.): Circadian clocks: Proc. Feldafing Summer School 7–18 Sept. 1964, 479 pp. Amsterdam: North-Holland 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • Brock, V. E. and R. H. Riffenburgh: Fish schooling: a possible factor in reducing predation. J. Cons., Cons. perm, int. Explor. Mer 24, 307–317 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. G. B., S. P. Barker and D. E. Gaskin: Daytime surface swarming by Meganyctiphanes norvegica (M. Sars) (Crustacea, Euphausiacea) off Brier Island, Bay of Fundy. Can. J. Zool. 57, 2285–2291 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clutter, R. I.: Zonation of nearshore mysids. Ecology 48, 200–208 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clutter, R. I.: The microdistribution and social behavior of some pelagic mysid shrimps. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 3, 125–155 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haeckel, E.: Planktonic studies: a comparative investigation of the importance and constitution of the pelagic fauna and flora (Eng. transl.) Appendix 6, Re. Comm. for 1889–1891. U.S. Comm. Fish and Fisheries, 565–641 (1893)

  • Hamner, P. and W. M. Hamner: Chemosensory tracking of scent trails by the planktonic shrimp Acetes sibogae australis. Science, N.Y 195 886–888 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamner, W. M. and J. H. Carleton: Copepod swarms: attributes and role in coral reef ecosystems. Limnol. Oceanogr. 24, 1–14 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamner, W. M. and I. R. Hauri: Long-distance horizontal migrations of zooplankton (Scyphomedusae: Mastigias). Limnol. Oceanogr. 26, 414–423 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamner, W. M., L. P. Madin, A. L. Alldredge, R. W. Gilmer and P. Hamner: Underwater observation of gelatinous zooplankton: sampling problems, feeding biology, and behavior. Limnol. Oceanogr. 20, 907–917 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, A. C.: Observations on the uneven distribution of oceanic plankton. Discovery Rept. 11, 511–538 (1936)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hensen, V.: Über die Bestimmung des Planktons oder des im Meere treibenden Materials an Pflanzen und Thieren. Konn. wiss. Untersuch. deutsch. Meere. 5, 1–107 (1887)

    Google Scholar 

  • Isaacs, J. D.: Some ideas and frustrations about fishery science. Calif. Coop. Oceanic Fish. Invest. Rep. 28, 34–43 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawamura, A.: Food and feeding ecology in the southern sei whale. Sci. Rep. Whales Res. Inst. 26, 25–144 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Komaki, Y.: On the surface swarming of euphausiid crustaceans. Pac. Sci. 21, 433–448 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Marr, J. W. S.: The natural history and geography of the Antarctic kril (Euphausia superba Dana). Discovery Rep. 32, 33–464 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mauchline, J.: Studies on patches of krill, Euphausia superba Dana. Biomass Hndbk. No. 6, 36 pp. 1980

  • McCarthy, J. J. and J. C. Goldman: Nitrogenous nutrition of marine phytoplankton in nutrient-depleted waters. Science, N.Y. 203, 670–672 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Omori, M.: Abundance assessment of micronektonic sergestid shrimp in the ocean. Biol. Oceanogr. 2 (In press)

  • Paine, R. T.: Food webs: linkage, interaction strenth and community infrastructure. J. Anim. Ecol. 49, 667–685 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, E.: Schooling in fishes: critique and review. In: Development and evolution of behavior: Essays in memeory of T. C. Schneirla, 5p 452–480. Ed. by L. R. Aronson, San Francisco: W.H. Freeman 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Steele, J. H. (ed.): Spatial pattern in plankton communities, 470 pp. New York: Plenum Press 1978

    Google Scholar 

  • Steven, D. M.: Shoaling behavior in a mysid. Nature, Lond. 192, 280–281 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, M., and T. Ikeda: Excretion of ammonia and inorganic phosphorus by Euphausia pacifica and Metridia pacifica at different concentrations of phytoplankton. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 32, 2189–2995 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Trent, J. D., A. L. Shanks and M. W. Silver: In situ and laboratory measurements on macroscopic aggregates in Monterey Bay, California. Limnol. Oceanogr. 23, 625–635 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO: Zooplankton sampling, 174 pp. Monogr. oceanogr. methodol. 2, Paris: Unesco Press 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Wangersky, P. J.: Particulate organic carbon: sampling variability. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19, 980–984 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiborg, K. F.: Fishery and commercial exploitation of Calanus finmarchicus in Norway. J. Cons., Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 36, 251–258 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiebe, P. H.: A computer mode study of zooplankton patchniess and its effects on sampling error. Limnol. Oceanogr. 16, 29–38 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiebe, P. H.: A field investigation of the relationship between length of tow, size of net and sampling error. J. Cons., Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer. 34, 268–275 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelickman, E. A.: Group orientation of Neomysis mirabilis (Mysidacea: Crustacea). Mar. Biol. 24, 251–258 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Communicated by M. Anraku, Hiroshima

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Omori, M., Hamner, W.M. Patchy distribution of zooplankton: Behavior, population assessment and sampling problems. Marine Biology 72, 193–200 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396920

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396920

Keywords

Navigation