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Vertical distribution and feeding of Thalia democratica on the Agulhas Bank during march 1994

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2009

M.J. Gibbons
Affiliation:
Marine Biology Research Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, Cape Town, South Africa.

Abstract

Diel vertical migration (DVM) and in situ feeding of Thalia democratica (Tunicata: Thaliacea) was studied in the field (Agulhas Bank, South Africa) over a 48 h period in March 1994. Thalia democratica did not display DVM, and both aggregates and solitaires were mostly confined to the upper layers of the water column throughout the study period. Thalia democratica did not display any discernible diel feeding rhythm, and pigment content increased with salp size. Individuals with greatest pigment content were found at the chlorophyll maximum. Estimates of grazing impact varied with salp abundance and gut passage time, ranging from less than 1% to greater than 100% of phytoplankton productivity.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1997

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