Seasonal and interannual variations of mesozooplankton community structure off Tongyeong, southeastern coast of Korea from 2011 to 2014

Abstract

Mesozooplankton community structure and environmental factors were monitored monthly at a fixed station off the Tongyeong coast from 2011 to 2014 to better understand the variability of mesozooplankton community in relation to marine environmental changes. Total mesozooplankton abundance ranged 747~8,945 inds. m-3, sharply increased in July to August and decreased in October to November. Paracalanus parvus s.l., Oikopleura spp., Evadne tergestina, Cirripedia larva, Corycaeus affinis, Calanus sinicus, and Oithona simils occupied 63.7% of total mesozooplankton abundance. Oceanic warm water copepods such as Euchaeta plana and Undinula vulgaris appeared from July to September, implying the direct influence of the Tsushima Warm Current in summer.Our results suggest that high chlorophyll-a concentration since 2013 may have caused the changes of mesozooplankton community structure in the study area.nmental changes. Total mesozooplankton abundance ranged 747~8,945 inds. m-3, sharply increased in July to August and decreased in October to November. Paracalanus parvus s.l., Oikopleura spp., Evadne tergestina, Cirripedia larva, Corycaeus affinis, Calanus sinicus, and Oithona simils occupied 63.7% of total mesozooplankton abundance. Oceanic warm water copepods such as Euchaeta plana and Undinula vulgaris appeared from July to September, implying the direct influence of the Tsushima Warm Current in summer.Our results suggest that high chlorophyll-a concentration since 2013 may have caused the changes of mesozooplankton community structure in the study area.