Abstract
Between March 23 and April 4, 1981, samples were taken in the eastern tropical Pacific. The day/night vertical distribution of euphausiid species and biomass are described and contrasted in detail on two eastern tropical Pacific stations, the DOME station, in a region of continuous upwelling and the BIOSTAT station, in a nonupwelling area. The effects of various biological parameters, such as temperature, salinity and oxygen concentrations on the distributions of the species are examined. The numbers of euphausiids m-2 on both stations were highest during the day, indicating that avoidance of the sampler was not a problem. During the day the largest concentration of adult euphausiids was between 300 and 350 m whereas the juveniles were concentrated between 170 and 80 m on both stations. Very few individuals were found within the oxygen minimum layer, but low concentrations of some species were found below the oxygen minimum down to 1 000 m. At night the euphausiid concentration migrated upward into the mixed layer (20 to 30 m) at BIOSTAT and to the base of the mixed layer at the DOME. Significant differences in the night depths of the species were found on both stations. The oxygen minimum layer appeared to act as a barrier to the vertical distribution of all species. Only two species were found in water with an oxygen concentration of <0.1 ml O2 l-1. Twentyone species of euphausiids were found on the two stations but the adult population was dominated by only two or three species on both stations. The reproductive state of the species suggested that some species reproduced earlier on the DOME than on BIOSTAT. Analysis of the depth distribution by cluster analysis showed that the most abundant species occupied different depths during the night and day at BIOSTAT but the two most abundant species were concentrated at the same depth at the DOME station although portions of each species population occupied different pelagic zones.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Baker, A. De C.: The vertical distribution of euphausiids near Fuerteventura. Canary Islands (“Discovery” Sond cruise, 1965). J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 50, 031–342 (1970)
Blackburn, M., R. M. Laurs, R. W. Owens and B. Zeitzschel: Seasonal and areal changes in standing stocks of phytoplankton, zooplankton and micronekton in the eastern tropical Pacific. Mar. Biol. 7, 14–31 (1970)
Brandhorst, W.: Thermocline topography, zooplankton standing crop, and mechanisms of fertilization in the eastern tropical Pacific. J. Cons. perm. int. Explor. Mer 24, 16–31 (1958)
Bray, J. R. and J. T. Curtis: An ordination of the upland forest communities of Southern Wisconsin. Ecol. Monogr. 27, 325–349 (1957)
Brinton, E.: Vertical migration and avoidance capability of euphausiids in the California current. Limnol. Oceanog. 12, 451–483 (1967)
Brinton, E.: Parameters relating to the distribution of planktonic organisms, especially euphausiids in the eastern tropical Pacific. Prog. Oceanogr. 8, 125–189 (1979)
Clifford, H. T. and W. Stephenson: An introduction to numerical classification, 229 pp. New York: Academic Press 1975
Dixon, W. J., M. B. Brown, L. Engelman, J. W. Frane, M. A. Hil and R. I. Jennirich: BMPD statistical software 981. Berkeley: University Calif. Press 1981
Field, J. G., K. R. Clarke and R. M. Warwick: A practical strategy for analysing multispecies distribution patterns. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 8, 37–52 (1982)
Griffiths, F. B.: Euphausiids in the Coral and Tasman Seas during May 1972. I. Horizontal and vertical distributions. Aust. J. mar. freshwat. Res. 30, 551–567 (1979)
Hopkins, L.: The vertical distribution of zooplankton in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Deep-Sea Res. 29, 1069–1083 (1982)
Li, W. K. W., D. V. Subba Rao, W. G. Harrison, J. C. Smith, J. J. Cullen, B. Irwin and T. Platt: Autotrophic picoplankton in the tropical ocean. Science, Wash. D.C. 219, 292–295 (1983)
Longhurst A. R.: Relationship between diversity and the vertical structure of the upper ocean. Deep-Sea Res. 32, 1535–1570 (1985)
Mauchline, J. and L. R. Fisher (Ed.): The biology of euphausiids, 454 pp. New York: Academic Press 1969
Pelmskiy, A. G. and Ye. G. Arashkevich: Quantitative characteristics of the feeding of euphausiids in the tropical part of the Pacific Ocean. Oceanology 20, 199–203 (1980)
Ponomareva, L.: Euphausiids of the Red Sea collected in summer 1966 by R. V. “Academician S. Vavilov”. Mar. Biol. 1, 263–265 (1968)
Ponomareva, L. A.: Circadian migrations and feeding rhythm of some Indian Ocean euphausiid species. Oceanology 11, 226–231 (1971)
Richards, F. A.: Oxygen in the ocean. Mem. Biol. Soc. Am. 67, 185–238 (1957)
Roger, C.: Note on the distribution of Euphausia exima and E. gibboides in the equatorial Pacific. Pac. Sci. 21, 429–430 (1967)
Roger, C.: Bathymetrical distributions and vertical migrations of euphausiacea (Crustaceans) in the tuna fishing zones of the tropical South Pacific, Cah. O.E.S.T.O.M. Ser Oceanogr. 12, 221–239 (1974)
Roger, C.: Feeding rhythms and trophic organization of a population of pelagic crustaceans (Euphausiacea). Mar. Biol. 32, 365–378 (1975)
Sameoto, D. D.: Relationships between stomach contents and vertical migration in Meganyctiphanes norvegica, Thysanoessa raschii and T. inermis, Crustaceans (Euphausiacea). J. Plankt. Res. 2, 129–143 (1980)
Sameoto, D. D.: Influence of the biological and physical environment on the vertical distribution of mesozooplankton and micronekton in the eastern tropical Pacific. Mar. Biol. 93, 263–279 (1986)
Sameoto, D. D., L. O. Jaroszynski and W. B. Fraser: BIONESS a new design in multiple net zooplankton samplers. Can. J. Fish. Sci. 37, 772–774 (1980)
Vinogradov, M. E.: Vertical distribution of the oceanic zooplankton. (Translated from Russian). Israel Prog. Sci. Transl. Jerusalem (1970)
Wiebe, P. H.: A computer model study of zooplankton patchiness and its effects on sampling error. Limnol. Oceanogr. 16, 28–29 (1971)
Wiebe, P. H.: A field investigation of the relationship between length of two, size of net and sampling error. J. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 34, 268–275 (1972)
Wiebe, P. H., S. H. Boyd, B. M. Dais and J. L. Cox: Avoidance of towed nets by the euphausiid Nematoscelis megalops. Fish. Bull. 80, 75–91 (1982)
Wyrtki, K.: The oxygen minima in relation to ocean circulation. Deep-Sea Res. 9, 11–24 (1962)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by R. W. Doyle, Halifax
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sameoto, D., Guglielmo, L. & Lewis, M.K. Day/night vertical distribution of euphausiids in the eastern tropical Pacific. Mar. Biol. 96, 235–245 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00427023
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00427023