Temporal and Spatial Variability of Mesozooplankton in a Shallow Sub-Tropical Bay: Influence of Top-Down Control |
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| Authors: | Christopher R Kelble Peter B Ortner Gary L Hitchcock Michael J Dagg Joseph N Boyer |
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| Institution: | (1) Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA;(2) Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149, USA;(3) Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, 8124 Highway 56, Chauvin, LA 70344, USA;(4) Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA |
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| Abstract: | Quantifying the relationship between mesozooplankton and water quality parameters identifies the factors that structure the
mesozooplankton community and can be used to generate hypotheses regarding the mechanisms that control the mesozooplankton
population and potentially the trophic network. To investigate this relationship, mesozooplankton and water quality data were
collected in Florida Bay from 1994 to 2004. Three key characteristics were found in the mesozooplankton community structure:
(1) there are significant differences between the four sub-regions of Florida Bay; (2) there is a break in May of 1997 with
significant differences before and after this date; and (3) there is a positive correlation between mesozooplankton abundance
and salinity. The latter two characteristics are closely correlated with predator abundance, indicating the importance of
top-down control. Hypersaline periods appear to provide a refuge from predators, allowing mesozooplankton to increase in abundance
despite the increased physiological stress. |
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