Observations on euphausiid communities of the south coast of South Africa
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Date
1995
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
NISC (Pty) Ltd and Taylor& Francis
Abstract
A total of 24 species of euphausiid was collected during a survey along the South African south coast during January 1992. Communities over the Agulhas Bank were of low diversity and abundance and were dominated by Nycliphanes capensis. Those at the shelf-edge were of high diversity and abundance and were dominated by Euphausia recurI'll and Thysalloessa gregaria. Such high diversity may be maintained by vertical scgregation at night. Few species displayed obvious diel vertical migration, although N. capen sis may be able to maintain itself on the shelf by means of this behaviour. E. recurl'Cl appeared to feed on phytoplankton throughout the water column at night, reflecting the distribution of food.
Description
Keywords
South Africa, Euphausiids, Agulhas Bank, Nyctiphanes capensis, Euphausia recurva, Thysanoessa gregaria, Diversity, Abundance, Vertical distribution, Gut pigment
Citation
Gibbons, M.J. (1995). Observations on euphausiid communities of the south coast of South Africa. South African Journal of Marine Science 16: 141-148