Gibbons, Mark J.2012-07-022012-07-021995Gibbons, M.J. (1995). Observations on euphausiid communities of the south coast of South Africa. South African Journal of Marine Science 16: 141-14802577615http://hdl.handle.net/10566/374A 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.enThe South African Journal of Marine Science (now African Journal Marine Science) is published by NISC (Pty) Ltd and Taylor& Francis and available online at http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tams20. Publisher authorised author to deposit this file.South AfricaEuphausiidsAgulhas BankNyctiphanes capensisEuphausia recurvaThysanoessa gregariaDiversityAbundanceVertical distributionGut pigmentArticle