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Species composition and temporal and spatial distribution of siphonophores in the waters off eastern Taiwan

The species composition, temporal and spatial distribution of siphonophores in relation to hydrographic variables in the waters off eastern Taiwan were examined during the period from May 2000 to July 2001. In total, 54 siphonophoran species belonging to 21 genera and 6 families were identified, with the mean abundance of 284 ¡Ó 18 inds. /1000m3. The numerical abundance of siphonophores showed an apparent seasonal change, higher in autumn and lower in winter and summer. The six most dominant species were Chelophyes contorta, Abylopsis tetragona, Bassia bassensis, A. eschscholtz, Eudoxoides mitra and Diphyes chamissonisi, and together they contributed to 75.1 % of the numerical total of siphonophores.
The mean abundance, but not for species number, of siphonophores was significantly higher in Kuroshio waters than in coastal waters. Most siphonophores found in this study were belonged to the widespread oceanic species, and the dominant species composition was similar to those in the northern South China Sea. The dominant siphonophoran species exhibited apparent seasonal succession. Different dominant species, as well as their ratio of sexual and asexual generations, showed different seasonal distribution patterns.
The total abundance of siphonophores was not significantly correlated to water temperature and salinity. The abundance of the six most dominant species showed different correlations with water temperature and salinity. The abundance of C. contorta showed significant positive correlation with water temperature, but negative correlation with water salinity. The abundance of B. bassensis showed significant negative correlation with water temperature, but positive correlation with water salinity. The abundance of E. mitra showed significant negative correlation with water salinity. The others were not significantly correlated to water temperature and salinity.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:NSYSU/oai:NSYSU:etd-0628104-211110
Date28 June 2004
CreatorsPan, Ya-Ling
ContributorsLi-Lian Liu, none, none, Wen-Tseng Lo
PublisherNSYSU
Source SetsNSYSU Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Archive
LanguageCholon
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://etd.lib.nsysu.edu.tw/ETD-db/ETD-search/view_etd?URN=etd-0628104-211110
Rightsunrestricted, Copyright information available at source archive

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