Abstract The species composition, distribution and generations of the thaliacea in relation to the sea surface temperature, salinity and chlorophyll a were studied in the Koaping coastal waters, southwestern Taiwan, from June 2001 to October 2002. In all, 16 species of the thaliacea belonging to 3 families and 11 genera were identified. Among these, Doliolum denticulatum was the most dominant species and comprised 62.2% of the numerical total of thaliacea, other common species including: Thalia orientalis (22.8%), Thalia democratica (7.5%), Thalia rhomboids (2.4%) and Dolioliletta gegenbauri (2.3%). The mean numerical abundance of thaliacea was 690.6 1601.4 ind./100m3. Most species showed apparently seasonal changes, with the highest abundance in March 2002 and the lowest was in November 2001. Higher abundances of thaliacea were generally found in the 100m oblique tows when compared with the surface tows, except in March and October 2002 that bulk abundances were found in the surface waters. The variation of thaliacean species composition and abundance among stations and mouths was larger in 2002 than in 2001. Higher similarity in community structure of thaliacea was found between August and November 2001, while larger variations among stations were found in March and July 2002. In general, the abundance of thaliacea species showed significantly negative correlation with water temperature but significantly positive correlations with salinity and chlorophyll a. Blastozooid(phorozooids and gonozooids) of the Doliolum denticulatum and Dolioletta gegenburia dominated in the study area and comprised 99.2% of total doliolids. Blastozooid(gonozooids) was also dominated in Salpida species and comprised 84.3% of total Salpida, except Thalia rhomboids that blastozooid occupied only 40.1%.

A abundância dos taliáceos e sua relação aos demais grupos do zooplâncton, além da avaliação do impacto alimentar das salpas, foram observados a partir de amostras da região da plataforma continental sudeste brasileira durante o verão de 2002. As salpas estiveram presentes em maior concentração na região de plataforma interna, enquanto os dolíolos apresentaram maior abundância na plataforma externa. Ambos os grupos foram encontrados principalmente nas camadas mais superficiais. Os maiores valores de biomassa foram registrados nas estações onde os gelatinosos estiveram presentes, sendo o máximo de 131 mg C m-² obtido para as salpas e 636 mg C m-² para os dolíolos. A ocorrência de salpas esteve relacionada à maior concentração de clorofila e menores valores de temperatura. Já para os dolíolos não foi possível observar o mesmo padrão. Os resultados apontaram que as salpas estiveram associadas à mistura das massas AT e ACAS e os dolíolos às águas tropicais (AT). A abundância dos organismos zooplanctônicos não apresentou reduções significativas quando comparadas as concentrações de salpas e dolíolos, sendo correlacionadas positivamente. Em ambientes eutróficos, como o caso das áreas de ressurgência, o alimento não é um fator limitante, sendo possível a ocorrência simultânea de diversos grupos de organismos que em outro cenário competiriam por alimento. As maiores taxas de ingestão e impacto alimentar causado pelas salpas foram registradas na região de plataforma interna, sendo associadas aos maiores valores de biomassa observados para o grupo e a elevada concentração de clorofila. / The abundance of thaliaceans and its relation to other zooplankton groups, as well as salp grazing impact, were studied on the southeastern shelf of Brazil based on samples collected during summer 2002. Salps occurred at higher numbers on the inner shelf, while doliolids were more abundant on the outer shelf. Both taxa were found mainly in the upper layers of the water column. Highest biomass values were recorded in stations where gelatinous plankton were present, with maxima of 131 mg C m-² for salps and 636 mg C m-² for doliolids. Salp occurrence was positively corelated to higher chlorophyll concentrations and lower temperatures. Doliolids did not follow such pattern. Salps were associated to areas where Tropical Water and South Atlantic Central Water mixed, and doliolids dominated in Tropical Water. The abundance of other zooplankton taxa did not show significant decrease when salps and doliolids were abundant, as the correlation among salps, doliolids and other groups were usually positive. During upwelling events food is usually not limiting; thus the same planktonic taxa that will compete for food in other areas may coexist in such eutrophic to mesotrophic environments. The highest ingestion rates and feeding impact associated to salps were recorded on the inner shelf, where the highest salp abundance and chlorophyll-a concentration occurred.

A abundância dos taliáceos e sua relação aos demais grupos do zooplâncton, além da avaliação do impacto alimentar das salpas, foram observados a partir de amostras da região da plataforma continental sudeste brasileira durante o verão de 2002. As salpas estiveram presentes em maior concentração na região de plataforma interna, enquanto os dolíolos apresentaram maior abundância na plataforma externa. Ambos os grupos foram encontrados principalmente nas camadas mais superficiais. Os maiores valores de biomassa foram registrados nas estações onde os gelatinosos estiveram presentes, sendo o máximo de 131 mg C m-² obtido para as salpas e 636 mg C m-² para os dolíolos. A ocorrência de salpas esteve relacionada à maior concentração de clorofila e menores valores de temperatura. Já para os dolíolos não foi possível observar o mesmo padrão. Os resultados apontaram que as salpas estiveram associadas à mistura das massas AT e ACAS e os dolíolos às águas tropicais (AT). A abundância dos organismos zooplanctônicos não apresentou reduções significativas quando comparadas as concentrações de salpas e dolíolos, sendo correlacionadas positivamente. Em ambientes eutróficos, como o caso das áreas de ressurgência, o alimento não é um fator limitante, sendo possível a ocorrência simultânea de diversos grupos de organismos que em outro cenário competiriam por alimento. As maiores taxas de ingestão e impacto alimentar causado pelas salpas foram registradas na região de plataforma interna, sendo associadas aos maiores valores de biomassa observados para o grupo e a elevada concentração de clorofila. / The abundance of thaliaceans and its relation to other zooplankton groups, as well as salp grazing impact, were studied on the southeastern shelf of Brazil based on samples collected during summer 2002. Salps occurred at higher numbers on the inner shelf, while doliolids were more abundant on the outer shelf. Both taxa were found mainly in the upper layers of the water column. Highest biomass values were recorded in stations where gelatinous plankton were present, with maxima of 131 mg C m-² for salps and 636 mg C m-² for doliolids. Salp occurrence was positively corelated to higher chlorophyll concentrations and lower temperatures. Doliolids did not follow such pattern. Salps were associated to areas where Tropical Water and South Atlantic Central Water mixed, and doliolids dominated in Tropical Water. The abundance of other zooplankton taxa did not show significant decrease when salps and doliolids were abundant, as the correlation among salps, doliolids and other groups were usually positive. During upwelling events food is usually not limiting; thus the same planktonic taxa that will compete for food in other areas may coexist in such eutrophic to mesotrophic environments. The highest ingestion rates and feeding impact associated to salps were recorded on the inner shelf, where the highest salp abundance and chlorophyll-a concentration occurred.