Post-bloom grazing by Calanus glacialis, C. finmarchicus and C. hyperboreus in the region of the polar Front, Barents Sea

• Published in: Marine biology 1990-01, Vol.104 (1), p.5-14
• Main Authors: HANSEN, B, BERGGREEN, U. C, TANDE, K. S, EILERTSEN, H. C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Calanus; Calanus finmarchicus; Calanus glacialis; Calanus hyperboreus; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine; Phaeocystis pouchetii; Sea water ecosystems; Synecology
• ISSN: 0025-3162; 1432-1793
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01313151

The plankton community in the Polar Front area of the Barents Sea was investigated during a cruise from 14 to 28 July 1987. The colonial algae Phaeocystis pouchetii and Dinobryon pellucidum dominated the phytoplankton. Depth integrated carbon assimilation rates varied from 190 to 810 mg C/m super(2)/d. A high carbon:chlorophyll ratio (which varied from 123 to 352) prevailed at the three stations investigated, which may relate to facultative heterotrophic behaviour by D. pellucidum). The herbivorous zooplankton community was dominated by Calanus glacialis, C. finmarchicus , and C. hyperboreus . The gut defecation rate constant (R) varied from 0.014 to 0.027/min at 0 degree C in copepodites (Stage II to adult female) of C. glacialis , independent of developmental stage. Calanus spp. community carbon ingestion rates calculated from particulate carbon:chlorophyll ratios, were 10.65 and 400% of daily phytoplankton carbon fixation rates at Stations 1, 2 and 3, respectively.