Mapping plankton distribution in the Bay of Biscay during three consecutive spring surveys

Zarauz, L.; Irigoien, Xabier; Urtizberea, Agurtzane; González, María Begoña García

doi:10.3354/meps06970

Cited by 33 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…GAM analyses were performed in two steps (Zarauz et al 2007, Silva et al 2014. First, GAMs were based on single explanatory variables to study the influence of each hydrographic parameter on the species abundance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High spatial heterogeneity of two planktonic cnidarian species related to the variability of a shelf-slope front at short time scales

et al. 2016

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Summary:We investigated the variability in the mesoscale distribution of the siphonophore Muggiaea atlantica and the hydromedusa Aglaura hemistoma in relation to the rapid spatial oscillations of the shelf-slope front off the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean). Three extensive surveys were carried out in spring at ten-day intervals. High variability in the position of the front resulted from the advection of low-salinity waters originating in the Gulf of Lions, mainly from the Rhône River runoff. High spatial variability in the distribution of the two species was closely related to the shifting positions of the front. Both species occurred on its inshore side in much higher abundances than on its offshore side, where they were scarce or absent. The front acts as a barrier limiting offshore displacement of these two cnidarians. Statistical analyses showed that bottom depth and salinity, as independent variables, were indicators of the signature and position of the front, explaining most of the variance in the distribution and abundance of the two species.Keywords: Siphonophorae; Hydromedusae; Muggiaea atlantica; Aglaura hemistoma; mesoscale; NW Mediterranean. Alta heterogeneidad espacial de dos especies de cnidarios planctónicos en relación a la variabilidad a corta escala temporal de un frente plataforma-talud Resumen: La variabilidad en la distribución de meso-escala del sifonóforo Muggiaea atlantica y la hidromedusa Aglaura hemistoma se investigó en relación a las rápidas oscilaciones espaciales del frente plataforma-talud en la costa Catalana (Mediterráneo noroccidental). Durante la primavera, se realizaron tres campañas oceanográficas intensivas, distanciadas 10 días entre sí. La alta variabilidad en la posición del frente fue resultado de la advección de aguas de baja salinidad procedentes del Golfo de León, al norte del área de estudio, debido principalmente a los aportes del río Ródano. La alta variabilidad espacial observada en la distribución de las dos especies estuvo muy relacionada con la posición cambiante del frente. Ambas fueron mucho más abundantes en el lado costero que en el lado oceánico del frente, donde éstas fueron muy escasas o incluso ausentes. El frente actúa como una barrera limitando el desplazamiento hacia mar abierto de estos dos cnidarios. Los análisis estadísticos realizados mostraron que la profundidad y salinidad, como variables independientes, fueron indicadoras de la señal y la posición del frente, explicando la mayor parte de la varianza de la distribución y abundancia de ambas especies.Palabras clave: Siphonophorae; Hydromedusae; Muggiaea atlántica; Aglaura hemistoma; meso-escala; Mediterráneo noroccidental.Citation/Como citar este artículo: Guerrero E., Marrodán A., Sabatés A., Orejas C., Gili J.M. 2016. High spatial heterogeneity of two planktonic cnidarian species related to the variability of a shelf-slope front at short time scales. Sci. Mar. 80(4): 487-497. doi: http://dx

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High spatial heterogeneity of two planktonic cnidarian species related to the variability of a shelf-slope front at short time scales

et al. 2016

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“…First, it was hypothesised that food resource abundance and composition would greatly differ between spring and autumn, i.e. between seasons presenting different environmental conditions in temperate areas such as the Bay of Biscay (Villate et al 1997;Valdés and Moral 1998;Zarauz et al 2007). Moreover, survey data indicated that both springtime periods were different in terms of temperature and salinity patterns in particular, potentially leading to different food resource availability as well (i.e.…”

Section: Mesozooplanktonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…between two consecutive springs), can be directly related to spatial and year-to-year variations in water temperature and salinity (Villate et al 1997, Zarauz et al 2007). Moreover, in the Bay of Biscay, the plumes of the Gironde and the Loire Rivers considerably influence the hydrological structure and the primary production on the continental shelf, all along the year (Planque et al 2004;Puillat et al 2004Puillat et al , 2006Loyer et al 2006;.…”

Section: Spatial Temporal and Size-related Variability Of Mesozooplamentioning

confidence: 99%

Small pelagic fish feeding patterns in relation to food resource variability: an isotopic investigation for Sardina pilchardus and Engraulis encrasicolus from the Bay of Biscay (north-east Atlantic)

et al. 2014

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Small pelagic fish represent an essential link between lower and upper trophic levels in marine pelagic ecosystems and often support important fisheries. In the Bay of Biscay in the north-east Atlantic, no obvious controlling factors have yet been described that explain observed fluctuations in European sardine Sardina pilchardus and European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus stocks, in contrast to other systems. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate to which extent these fluctuations could be trophodynamically mediated. The trophic ecology of both fish species was characterised over three contrasting periods (spring 2010 and 2011 and autumn 2011) in the area, in relation to potential variation in the abundance and composition of the mesozooplankton resource. Stable isotope analyses of carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) were performed on potential mesozoplanktonic prey items and in the muscle of adult fish, as well as in the liver whenever available, and mixing models were applied. In both springs, the mesozooplankton resource was abundant but qualitatively different. During this period of the year, results based on muscle isotope values in particular showed that S. pilchardus and E. encrasicolus likely do not compete strongly for food. On the medium term, E.encrasicolus always presented a greater trophic plasticity than S. pilchardus, both in terms of feeding areas and in the size of the mesozooplanktonic prey consumed. In autumn, mesozooplankton abundances were lower, and it was likely that S. pilchardus and E.encrasicolus share food resources during this period. No clear links between the variation in the mesozooplanktonic resource and the trophic segregation maintained between adults of both fish species in spring could be made. Although a certain potential exists for trophodynamically mediated fluctuations of both species under specific abiotic conditions (i.e. due to the existing trophic segregation in spring in particular), the overall results suggest that fluctuations in abundance of both fish species are probably not directly linked to their trophic ecology in the Bay of Biscay, at least at the level of adult individuals.

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“…The ATC method, implemented as suggested by Bergeron (1983), was not focused on the spatial distribution or variations in zooplankton biomass, or its species composition, as usual in most zooplankton studies (e.g. Irigoien, 2004, 2007;Zarauz et al, 2007, for the Bay of Biscay). The specific activity of ATC in mesozooplankton communities provides a dynamic view of the overall productivity resulting from integrated metabolic activities controlled by environmental conditions.…”

Section: Occurred In 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

Interannual fluctuations in spring pelagic ecosystem productivity in the Bay of Biscay (northeast Atlantic) measured by mesozooplankton aspartate transcarbamylase activity and relationships with anchovy population dynamics

Bergeron¹,

Koueta²,

Massé³

2013

Fisheries Research

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a b s t r a c tThe French part of the continental shelf of the Bay of Biscay (northeast Atlantic) is the habitat of an anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L.) population of scientific interest because of its economic importance and the trend towards greater interannual fluctuations in its abundance, particularly as a consequence of variations in recruitment. Each year a 1-month survey of this population and its pelagic environment is undertaken. Among the descriptors of ecosystem function characterized, mesozooplankton aspartate transcarbamylase (ATC) activity is measured with the goal of defining overall productivity of the mesozooplankton communities. Diverse physical forcing factors are responsible for the enhancement of productivity in the Bay of Biscay, and their respective influences vary at interannual scales. We present the results of ATC activity measurements carried out within the anchovy habitat during six consecutive breeding seasons (from 2000 to 2005). A strong correlation was found between mean ATC activity and variations in interannual biomass for the anchovy population (R = 0.928; p < 0.01). During the study period the anchovy population collapsed, and a particularly low level of ATC activity in the mesozooplankton preceded this event 1 year earlier. Conversely, an increase in anchovy abundance in the year following the collapse was preceded by a return to substantially higher levels of ATC activity. We hypothesize that this relationship may be robust and generally applicable. We speculate on the environmental descriptors necessary to confirm this result, in view of its potential application to the monitoring of this valuable fish population in the Bay of Biscay.

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Mapping plankton distribution in the Bay of Biscay during three consecutive spring surveys

Cited by 33 publications

References 47 publications

High spatial heterogeneity of two planktonic cnidarian species related to the variability of a shelf-slope front at short time scales

High spatial heterogeneity of two planktonic cnidarian species related to the variability of a shelf-slope front at short time scales

Small pelagic fish feeding patterns in relation to food resource variability: an isotopic investigation for Sardina pilchardus and Engraulis encrasicolus from the Bay of Biscay (north-east Atlantic)

Interannual fluctuations in spring pelagic ecosystem productivity in the Bay of Biscay (northeast Atlantic) measured by mesozooplankton aspartate transcarbamylase activity and relationships with anchovy population dynamics

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