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Ecohydrographic control on the community structure and vertical distribution of pelagic Chaetognatha in the Red Sea

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Abstract

The present study details the effects of basin-scale hydrographic characteristics of the Red Sea on the macroecology of Chaetognatha, a major plankton component in the pelagic realm. The hydrographic attributes and circulation of the Red Sea as a result of its limited connection with the northern Indian Ocean make it a unique ecohydrographic region in the world ocean. Here, we aimed to identify the prime determinants governing the community structure and vertical distribution of the Cheatognatha in this ecologically significant world ocean basin. The intrusion of Gulf of Aden Water influenced the Chaetognatha community composition in the south, whereas the overturning circulation altered their vertical distribution in the north. The existence of hypoxic waters (< 100 µmol kg−1) at mid-depth also influenced their vertical distribution. The detailed evaluation of the responses of the different life stages of Chaetognatha revealed an increased susceptibility of adult individuals to hypoxic waters compared to immature stages. Higher oxygen demands of the adults for the egg and sperm production might have prevented them from inhabiting the oxygen-deficient mid-depth zones. The carbon and nitrogen content of the Copepoda and Chaetognatha communities and the quantification of the predation impact of Chaetognatha on Copepoda based on the feeding rate helped in corroborating the significant trophic link between these two prey–predator taxa. The observed influences of physical and chemical attributes on the distribution of Chaetognatha can be used as a model example for the role of the hydrography on the zooplankton community of the Red Sea.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant no. RG-1-150-35. The authors, therefore, acknowledge with thanks DSR technical and financial support. We further extend our gratitude towards the Helmholtz-Center for Ocean Research GEOMAR for the successful collaboration (Jeddah Transect Project) with the King Abdulaziz University. The authors also thank the Master and crew of RV Pelagia (cruise 64PE351) for their help in the field. During the writing phase of this manuscript, BK was supported through baseline funds of BHJ (KAUST).

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Author notes

  1. Kusum Komal Karati

    Present address: Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Kochi, 682037, India

  2. Benjamin Kürten

    Present address: Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Regional Centre Kochi, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Kochi, 682018, India

    Kusum Komal Karati

  2. Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80207, Jeddah, 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Ali M. Al-Aidaroos, Reny P. Devassy & Mohsen M. El-Sherbiny

  3. Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt

    Mohsen M. El-Sherbiny

  4. Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia

    Burton H. Jones

  5. Marine Ecology, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany

    Ulrich Sommer & Benjamin Kürten

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  1. Kusum Komal Karati
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Contributions

BK and AA conceived the study. BK, ME, RD and AA carried out fieldwork, analyzed the zooplankton samples, and processed the data. KK provided taxonomic identifications of Chaetognatha, interpreted the data, and drafted the manuscript. BK, US, and BJ provided editorial advice.

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Correspondence to Kusum Komal Karati.

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Karati, K.K., Al-Aidaroos, A.M., Devassy, R.P. et al. Ecohydrographic control on the community structure and vertical distribution of pelagic Chaetognatha in the Red Sea. Mar Biol 166, 30 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3472-x

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