Vertical Pelagic Habitat of Euphausiid Species Assemblages in the Gulf of California

Israel Ambriz-Arreola; Jaime Gómez-Gutiérrez; María del Carmen Franco-Gordo; Ricardo J. Palomares-García; Laura Sánchez-Velasco; Carlos J. Robinson; Brad A. Seibel

doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2017.03.008

Vertical Pelagic Habitat of Euphausiid Species Assemblages in the Gulf of California

Israel Ambriz-Arreola, Jaime Gómez-Gutiérrez, María del Carmen Franco-Gordo, Ricardo J. Palomares-García, Laura Sánchez-Velasco, Carlos J. Robinson, Brad A. Seibel

College of Marine Science

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We describe the seasonal changes in the horizontal and vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiid species associated with seven physical and 61 biological variables in the Gulf of California (24–31°N). Euphausiid community structure was explored in the epipelagic habitat (<200 m) in January, July, and October 2007 and in epipelagic to bathypelagic habitats (<1400 m depth) in May 2015. Twelve euphausiid species comprising two distinct regional assemblages were identified. Nyctiphanes simplex and Nematoscelis difficilis were the most abundant species (>90%) in all cruises carried out in the 26–31°N region and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/euphausia" title="Learn more about Euphausia from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"> Euphausia </a> distinguenda in the 24–26°N region (mostly in October >90%). We confirmed that Euphausia gibboides and Nematobrachion flexipes inhabit the mesopelagic habitat, adapted to <1 ml O2 l–1 environmental condition. Although Euphausia lamelligera and N. simplex populations were concentrated in well-oxygenated water (>3 ml O2 l–1) near the surface (<50 m), they were also detected in low densities in the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat (250–800 m), but only at oxygen levels less than 0.09 ml O2 l–1. Stylocheiron affine and Stylocheiron carinatum were numerous well below the seasonal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/thermoclines" title="Learn more about Thermoclines from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"> thermocline </a> (100–350 m). Nematoscelis difficilis and N. simplex extended into the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat, but at low densities. Multivariate analyses showed six seasonal and regional <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/krill" title="Learn more about Krill from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"> krill </a> assemblages, which are characterized by different species (Similarity percentage analysis). Canonical Correspondence Analysis show that, of 68 variables, three <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/abiotic-factor" title="Learn more about Abiotic Factor from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"> abiotic factors </a> (temperature, dissolved oxygen, and OMZ depth) and eight <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/biotic-factor" title="Learn more about Biotic Factor from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"> biotic factors </a> (accessory pigments; <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/zeaxanthin" title="Learn more about Zeaxanthin from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"> zeaxanthin </a> and 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin, and the abundance of six copepod species; Candacia pectinata , Canthocalanus pauper , Centropages furcatus , Rhincalanus nasutus , Scolecithrix <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/danae" title="Learn more about Danae from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages"> danae </a> , and Temora discaudata ), were the most influential variables associated with the vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiids. Krill‒copepod (predator–prey) relationships may be important determinants of daily and seasonal vertical distribution patterns. We conclude that the euphausiid vertical habitat reaches down to 900 m depth (with historical records of six species collected between 1000 and 2280 m) but with lower diversity and abundance in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic habitats than in the epipelagic habitat.

Original language	American English
Journal	Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers
Volume	123
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2017.03.008
State	Published - Jan 1 2017

Keywords

Euphausiacea
Krill
Species assemblage
Euphausia gibboides
Daily vertical migration
Mexico

Disciplines

Life Sciences

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2017.03.008

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@article{999437d4b5fd44bc8c8bfcd6c3fd6263,

title = "Vertical Pelagic Habitat of Euphausiid Species Assemblages in the Gulf of California",

abstract = " We describe the seasonal changes in the horizontal and vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiid species associated with seven physical and 61 biological variables in the Gulf of California (24–31°N). Euphausiid community structure was explored in the epipelagic habitat (<200 m) in January, July, and October 2007 and in epipelagic to bathypelagic habitats (<1400 m depth) in May 2015. Twelve euphausiid species comprising two distinct regional assemblages were identified. Nyctiphanes simplex and Nematoscelis difficilis were the most abundant species (>90%) in all cruises carried out in the 26–31°N region and Euphausia distinguenda in the 24–26°N region (mostly in October >90%). We confirmed that Euphausia gibboides and Nematobrachion flexipes inhabit the mesopelagic habitat, adapted to <1 ml O2 l–1 environmental condition. Although Euphausia lamelligera and N. simplex populations were concentrated in well-oxygenated water (>3 ml O2 l–1) near the surface (<50 m), they were also detected in low densities in the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat (250–800 m), but only at oxygen levels less than 0.09 ml O2 l–1. Stylocheiron affine and Stylocheiron carinatum were numerous well below the seasonal thermocline (100–350 m). Nematoscelis difficilis and N. simplex extended into the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat, but at low densities. Multivariate analyses showed six seasonal and regional krill assemblages, which are characterized by different species (Similarity percentage analysis). Canonical Correspondence Analysis show that, of 68 variables, three abiotic factors (temperature, dissolved oxygen, and OMZ depth) and eight biotic factors (accessory pigments; zeaxanthin and 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin, and the abundance of six copepod species; Candacia pectinata , Canthocalanus pauper , Centropages furcatus , Rhincalanus nasutus , Scolecithrix danae , and Temora discaudata ), were the most influential variables associated with the vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiids. Krill‒copepod (predator–prey) relationships may be important determinants of daily and seasonal vertical distribution patterns. We conclude that the euphausiid vertical habitat reaches down to 900 m depth (with historical records of six species collected between 1000 and 2280 m) but with lower diversity and abundance in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic habitats than in the epipelagic habitat. ",

keywords = "Euphausiacea, Krill, Species assemblage, Euphausia gibboides, Daily vertical migration, Mexico",

author = "Israel Ambriz-Arreola and Jaime G{\'o}mez-Guti{\'e}rrez and Franco-Gordo, {Mar{\'i}a del Carmen} and Palomares-Garc{\'i}a, {Ricardo J.} and Laura S{\'a}nchez-Velasco and Robinson, {Carlos J.} and Seibel, {Brad A.}",

year = "2017",

month = jan,

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doi = "10.1016/j.dsr.2017.03.008",

language = "American English",

volume = "123",

journal = "Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Vertical Pelagic Habitat of Euphausiid Species Assemblages in the Gulf of California

AU - Ambriz-Arreola, Israel

AU - Gómez-Gutiérrez, Jaime

AU - Franco-Gordo, María del Carmen

AU - Palomares-García, Ricardo J.

AU - Sánchez-Velasco, Laura

AU - Robinson, Carlos J.

AU - Seibel, Brad A.

PY - 2017/1/1

Y1 - 2017/1/1

N2 - We describe the seasonal changes in the horizontal and vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiid species associated with seven physical and 61 biological variables in the Gulf of California (24–31°N). Euphausiid community structure was explored in the epipelagic habitat (<200 m) in January, July, and October 2007 and in epipelagic to bathypelagic habitats (<1400 m depth) in May 2015. Twelve euphausiid species comprising two distinct regional assemblages were identified. Nyctiphanes simplex and Nematoscelis difficilis were the most abundant species (>90%) in all cruises carried out in the 26–31°N region and Euphausia distinguenda in the 24–26°N region (mostly in October >90%). We confirmed that Euphausia gibboides and Nematobrachion flexipes inhabit the mesopelagic habitat, adapted to <1 ml O2 l–1 environmental condition. Although Euphausia lamelligera and N. simplex populations were concentrated in well-oxygenated water (>3 ml O2 l–1) near the surface (<50 m), they were also detected in low densities in the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat (250–800 m), but only at oxygen levels less than 0.09 ml O2 l–1. Stylocheiron affine and Stylocheiron carinatum were numerous well below the seasonal thermocline (100–350 m). Nematoscelis difficilis and N. simplex extended into the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat, but at low densities. Multivariate analyses showed six seasonal and regional krill assemblages, which are characterized by different species (Similarity percentage analysis). Canonical Correspondence Analysis show that, of 68 variables, three abiotic factors (temperature, dissolved oxygen, and OMZ depth) and eight biotic factors (accessory pigments; zeaxanthin and 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin, and the abundance of six copepod species; Candacia pectinata , Canthocalanus pauper , Centropages furcatus , Rhincalanus nasutus , Scolecithrix danae , and Temora discaudata ), were the most influential variables associated with the vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiids. Krill‒copepod (predator–prey) relationships may be important determinants of daily and seasonal vertical distribution patterns. We conclude that the euphausiid vertical habitat reaches down to 900 m depth (with historical records of six species collected between 1000 and 2280 m) but with lower diversity and abundance in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic habitats than in the epipelagic habitat.

AB - We describe the seasonal changes in the horizontal and vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiid species associated with seven physical and 61 biological variables in the Gulf of California (24–31°N). Euphausiid community structure was explored in the epipelagic habitat (<200 m) in January, July, and October 2007 and in epipelagic to bathypelagic habitats (<1400 m depth) in May 2015. Twelve euphausiid species comprising two distinct regional assemblages were identified. Nyctiphanes simplex and Nematoscelis difficilis were the most abundant species (>90%) in all cruises carried out in the 26–31°N region and Euphausia distinguenda in the 24–26°N region (mostly in October >90%). We confirmed that Euphausia gibboides and Nematobrachion flexipes inhabit the mesopelagic habitat, adapted to <1 ml O2 l–1 environmental condition. Although Euphausia lamelligera and N. simplex populations were concentrated in well-oxygenated water (>3 ml O2 l–1) near the surface (<50 m), they were also detected in low densities in the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat (250–800 m), but only at oxygen levels less than 0.09 ml O2 l–1. Stylocheiron affine and Stylocheiron carinatum were numerous well below the seasonal thermocline (100–350 m). Nematoscelis difficilis and N. simplex extended into the hypoxic mesopelagic habitat, but at low densities. Multivariate analyses showed six seasonal and regional krill assemblages, which are characterized by different species (Similarity percentage analysis). Canonical Correspondence Analysis show that, of 68 variables, three abiotic factors (temperature, dissolved oxygen, and OMZ depth) and eight biotic factors (accessory pigments; zeaxanthin and 19'-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin, and the abundance of six copepod species; Candacia pectinata , Canthocalanus pauper , Centropages furcatus , Rhincalanus nasutus , Scolecithrix danae , and Temora discaudata ), were the most influential variables associated with the vertical distribution and abundance of euphausiids. Krill‒copepod (predator–prey) relationships may be important determinants of daily and seasonal vertical distribution patterns. We conclude that the euphausiid vertical habitat reaches down to 900 m depth (with historical records of six species collected between 1000 and 2280 m) but with lower diversity and abundance in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic habitats than in the epipelagic habitat.

KW - Euphausiacea

KW - Krill

KW - Species assemblage

KW - Euphausia gibboides

KW - Daily vertical migration

KW - Mexico

UR - https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/2400

UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2017.03.008

U2 - 10.1016/j.dsr.2017.03.008

DO - 10.1016/j.dsr.2017.03.008

M3 - Article

VL - 123

JO - Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

JF - Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

ER -

Vertical Pelagic Habitat of Euphausiid Species Assemblages in the Gulf of California

Abstract

Keywords

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