| Title | Mesozooplankton interactions with the shelf around the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands archipelago |
| Author | Hunt, B.P.V.; Pakhomov, E.A. |
| Source | Journal of Plankton Research, 25(8), p.885-904, . Publisher: Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom. ISSN: 0142- 7873 |
| Publication Date | 2003 |
| Notes | In English GeoRef Acc. No: 285257 |
| Index Terms | Indian Ocean; Indian Ocean Islands-- Prince Edward Island Group; Southern Ocean; Arthropoda; biogeography; biomass; Chordata; communities; continental shelf; Copepoda; Crustacea; currents; distribution; ecology; ecosystems; Euphausiacea; habitat; Indian Ocean Islands; Invertebrata; Malacostraca; Mandibulata; ocean circulation; ocean currents; Pisces; plankton; population dynamics; Prince Edward Island Group; subantarctic regions; Vertebrata |
| Abstract | Presents results of mesozooplankton surveys conducted in April/May during 1996-99 in vicinity of Prince Edward Islands. Abundance, biomass and average size in upstream, inter-island (IIR) and downstream regions indicated that some groups and species were significantly affected by interaction with shallow shelf waters. Copepods, euphausiids and fish in IIR were of low average size, probably due to reduced advection of deep water into shelf region leading to lack of mesopelagic species. Substantial regional differences were noted in euphausiid community structure, with epipelagic species Euphausia vallentini and Thysanoessa vicina completely dominating IIR. High current velocities and productivity associated with sub-Antarctic front (SAF) appear to increase biomass and size of allochthonous zooplankton/necton advected into IIR which may have increased availability of prey to land-based predators when SAF was close to Prince Edward Islands in 1999. Discusses implications for ecosystem of islands of long-term southward movement of sub-Antarctic front. |
| Publication Type | journal article |
| Record ID | 84230 |