Inter- and intra-specific diurnal habitat selection of zooplankton during the spring bloom observed by Video Plankton Recorder

Julie Sainmont, Astthor Gislason, Jan Heuschele, Clare N. Webster, Peter Sylvander, Miao Wang, Øystein Varpe

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Diel vertical migration (DVM) is a common behavior adopted by zooplankton species. DVM is a prominent adaptation for avoiding visual predation during daylight hours and still being able to feed on surface phytoplankton blooms during night. Here, we report on a DVM study using a Video Plankton Recorder (VPR), a tool that allows mapping of vertical zooplankton distributions with a far greater spatial resolution than conventional zooplankton nets. The study took place over a full day–night cycle in Disko Bay, Greenland, during the peak of the phytoplankton spring bloom. The sampling revealed a large abundance of copepods performing DVM (up during night and down during day). Migration behavior was expressed differently among the abundant groups with either a strong DVM (euphausiids), an absence of DVM (i.e., permanently deep; ostracods) or a marked DVM, driven by strong surface avoidance during the day and more variable depth preferences at night (Calanus spp.). The precise individual depth position provided by the VPR allowed us to conclude that the escape from surface waters during daytime reduces feeding opportunities but also lowers the risk of predation (by reducing the light exposure) and thereby is likely to influence both state (hunger, weight and stage) and survival. The results suggest that the copepods select day and night time habitats with similar light levels (~10−9 μmol photon s−1 m−2). Furthermore, Calanus spp. displayed state-dependent behavior, with DVM most apparent for smaller individuals, and a deeper residence depth for the larger individuals.
Original languageEnglish
JournalMarine Biology
Volume161
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)1931-1941
ISSN0025-3162
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • HASH(0x48f3690)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Inter- and intra-specific diurnal habitat selection of zooplankton during the spring bloom observed by Video Plankton Recorder'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this