Gelatinous zooplankton – a potential threat to the ecosystem of the Puck Bay?

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Gelatinous zooplankton – a potential threat to the ecosystem of the Puck Bay?

Journal Title: Biuletyn Instytutu Morskiego - Year 2015, Vol 30, Issue 1

Abstract

Gelatinous zooplankton is a group of organisms, which in recent decades has become one of the most important elements shaping the marine ecosystems. Their growing numbers and spreading to the new marine regions in combination with the high feeding rate, causes significant changes in the flow of energy in the food webs. The aim of this study, based on the few data in the literature, is to estimate if the gelatinous zooplankton is also an important element of the marine ecosystem of the Puck Bay. The only regularly occurring gelatinous zooplankton species in this basin is scyphozoan Aurelia aurita, most numerous in the months of summer and fall. As shown in Barz and Hirche’s (2005), and Möller’s (1980a), Schneider (1989) and Schneider and Behrends’ (1994) studies the abundance of jellyfish in the Bornholm Basin and the Kiel Bight was about several times lower than that in the Puck Bay. Nevertheless, the authors of these studies concluded that the population of A. aurita can significantly reduce mesozooplankton and fish resources, by preying on their larvae and eggs. Taking this into account it is possible that the impact of A. aurita medusae on the Puck Bay ecosystem is even higher than on the other parts of the Baltic Sea. Verification of this thesis requires detailed investigation the scope of which should include investigation of: A. aurita food selectivity and long-term mesozooplankton and A. aurita medusae abundance.

Authors and Affiliations

Michał Olenycz

Keywords

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EP ID EP78694
DOI -
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