Distribution of Appendicularians in Relation to the Strait of Belle Isle

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Author: Udvardy, Miklos D. F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1954
• Subjects: General Medicine; Newfoundland; Belle Isle; Strait of Belle Isle
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f54-029; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f54-029

The plankton material collected by the 1923 expedition of the Canadian Fisheries Research Board was examined with regard to appendicularians (Tunicata). Their occurrence supports the thesis that these animals can serve as current indicators, as suggested by previous authors for the same waters. The distribution of the water of the Labrador current around Newfoundland is traced by the occurrence of oikopleurids, and of their separate age classes, in the hauls. The results agree with the hydrographic data of the expedition and with the distribution of other planktonic groups. Partial disintegration of live appendicularians in response to unfavourable environmental conditions was common, especially where waters of different character mix.