Journal
JOURNAL OF MARINE SYSTEMS
Volume 214, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2020.103489
Keywords
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Funding
- French oceanographic fleet (Flotte oceanographique frangaise)
- French ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche, AAPG 2017 program, MOBYDICK) [ANR-17-CE01-0013]
- French Research program of INSU-CNRS LEFE/CYBER (Les enveloppes fluides et l'environnement Cycles biogeochimiques, environnement et ressources)
- NSERC [RGPIN-2014-05107]
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This study aimed to estimate S. thompsoni population dynamics and growth rates over the Kerguelen Plateau. Results showed that environmental conditions played a crucial role in determining the density and development of S. thompsoni populations, with growth rates higher than those reported from the Antarctic Peninsula but lower than near the Antarctic Polar Front. Despite warm surface waters, low chlorophyll a concentrations restricted the growth of salp populations in the region.
This study aimed to obtain the first estimates of S. thompsoni population dynamics and growth rates over the Kerguelen Plateau (Southern Indian Ocean). Micro nekton, including salps, were repeatedly sampled during late summer to early autumn (26th February - 15th March 2018) at contrasting hydrological stations on the Kerguelen Plateau in the southern proximity of Kerguelen Islands. At two stations, S. thompsoni made up almost half of the micronekton biomass. Environmental conditions were important in determining the density and development of S. thompsoni populations. Growth rates (0.5-7.0% d(-1)) were higher than previously reported from the Antarctic Peninsula (0.3-4.6% d(-1)) but lower than near the Antarctic Polar Front (APF; 3.7-20.7% d(-1)). Despite warm surface waters (4-5 degrees C), low chlorophyll a concentrations restricted the salp populations from growing as fast as populations near the APF. Because the Kerguelen Plateau region deflects a branch of warm water southward towards Antarctica, more studies of S. thompsoni population dynamics across multiple seasons are needed to fully understand their importance over the Kerguelen Plateau and their invasion potential into higher latitudes.
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