Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

CS37 Zooplankton

Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2001, Time: 4:45:00 PM

Location: Aztec

Heidelberg, K, B, Dept. Biol., University Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA, kh59@umail.umd.edu

Sebens, K, P, Dept. Biol., University Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA, ks95@umail.umd.edu

TEMPORAL PATTERNS, ABUNDANCE, AND COMPOSITION OF NEAR-REEF ZOOPLANKTON ON A JAMAICAN CORAL FORE-REEF

The contribution of zooplankton to coral reef energetics is not well understood, partly because zooplankton abundances are highly variable and are difficult to enumerate at a scale relevant to benthic zooplanktivores. Nocturnal near-reef zooplankton from the fore-reef of Discovery Bay, Jamaica, were sampled from 10-20 cm off the substrate using a diver-operated plankton pump. The pump collected zooplankton not effectively sampled by conventional net tows or demersal traps. Our results showed consistently greater densities of zooplankton than studies from similar locations. Abundance ranged from 1252-5698 indiv. m-3. Copepods were always the most abundant group, averaging 89% of the sample, and many were not of demersal origin. The cyclopoids, Oithona spp., were the numerically dominant organisms, with mean abundance of 1684 (260 SE) indiv. m-3. Mean biomass was 4.82 mg C m-3, but there were differences between winter and summer values. Near-reef zooplankton abundances were high throughout the night, not just after sunset and before sunrise as previously assumed. This work has important implications for the availability of reef zooplankton to benthic zooplanktivores, including corals, and to coral reef energetics.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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