Multivariate analyses of the macrozooplankton community and euphausiid larval ecology in the Prydz Bay region, Antarctica ...

• Main Author: Hosie, Graham William
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
• Subjects: Antarctic; Prydz Bay; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctic Krill; Antarctica; Copepods
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23231879; https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/Multivariate_analyses_of_the_macrozooplankton_community_and_euphausiid_larval_ecology_in_the_Prydz_Bay_region_Antarctica/23231879

Macrozooplankton data from the Prydz Bay region, collected between 1981 and 1991, and representing the months of September to March, were analysed using duster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling to define the communities within the region, their distribution patterns, indicator species and species affinities. Four communities were identified. Three of these communities were dominated respectively by Euphausia crystallorophias (neritic), copepods-chaetognaths (main oceanic), and salpshyperiids-small euphausiids (northern oceanic community). The fourth community was characterized by the high abundance and dominance of the Antarctic krill, E. superba, and also by the paucity of zooplankton. This community was mainly located along the outer shelf edge, usually between the main oceanic and neritic communities. Chlorophyll a abundance and temperature explained much of the variation in community distribution patterns. The annual recession of ice, pack-ice cover, and salinity also explained some of the ...