Diversity and distribution of the mesozooplankton in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic

• Published in: Journal of plankton research 2008-07, Vol.30 (7), p.795-805
• Main Authors: Neumann-Leitão, Sigrid, Sant'anna, Eneida Maria Eskinazi, Gusmão, Lúcia Maria De Oliveira, Do Nascimento-Vieira, Dilma Aguiar, Paranaguá, Maryse Nogueira, Schwamborn, Ralf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abundance; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Aquatic crustaceans; Biological and medical sciences; Coastal waters; Copepoda; Distribution; Food chains; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Geographical distribution; Marine; Ocean circulation; Offshore; Oligotrophic waters; Species diversity; Stability; Synecology; Tropical environment; Upwelling; Water masses; Zooplankton
• ISSN: 0142-7873; 1464-3774
• DOI: 10.1093/plankt/fbn040

Mesozooplankton species distribution and abundance were studied in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic, in neritic and oceanic regions off the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil (3° to 6° S and 32°30' to 35°30' W). Samples were collected with a 120 μm mesh net towed horizontally at 40 stations along five transects in June 1986. A total of 151 taxa were identified. Copepoda (93 species) numerically dominated (78%) the community. The highest zooplankton abundance was recorded at a coastal station (1098 ind m−3), and the lowest at the station farthest offshore (82 ind m−3). The low abundance of zooplankton corresponded to oligotrophic water masses, and differences in abundance were locally affected by topographic upwelling. Three groups were distinguished: (i) oceanic with very low total abundance (