Zooplankton diversity and physico-chemical conditions in three perennial ponds of Virudhunagar district, Tamilnadu

Plankton diversity and physico-chemical parameters are an important criterion for evaluating the suitability of water for irrigation and drinking purposes. In this study we tried to assess the zooplankton species richness, diversity and evenness and to predict the state of three perennial ponds according to physico-chemical parameters. A total of 47 taxa were recorded: 24 rotifers, 9 copepods, 8 cladocerans, 4 ostracods and 2 protozoans. More number of zooplankton species were recorded in Chinnapperkovil pond (47 species) followed by Nallanchettipatti (39 species) and Kadabamkulam pond (24 species). Among the rotifers, Branchionus sp. is abundant. Diaphanosoma sp. predominant among the cladocerans. Among copepods, numerical superiority was found in the case of Mesocyclopes sp. Cypris sp. repeated abundance among ostracoda. Present study revealed that zooplankton species richness (R1 and R2) was comparatively higher (R1: 4.39; R2: 2.13) in Chinnapperkovil pond. The species diversity was higher in the Chinnapperkovil pond (H': 2.53; N1: 15.05; N2: 15.75) as compared to other ponds. The water samples were analyzed for temperature, pH, electrical conductivity alkalinity salinity, phosphate, hardness, dissolved oxygen and biological oxygen demand. Higher value of physico-chemical parameters and zooplankton diversity were recorded in Chinnapperkovil pond as compared to other ponds. The zooplankton population shows positive significant correlation with physico-chemical parameters like, temperature, alkalinity phosphate, hardness and biological oxygen demand, whereas negatively correlated with rainfall and salinity. The study revealed that the presence of certain species like, Monostyla sp., Keratella sp., Lapadella sp., Leydigia sp., Moinodaphnia sp., Diaptomus sp., Diaphanosoma sp., Mesocyclopes sp., Cypris sp. and Brachionus sp. is considered to be biological indicator for eutrophication.     

Distribution,biomass and ecology of meso-zooplankton in the Northern Adriatic Sea

Two oceanographic cruises were carried out in the northern Adriatic Sea, from June, 1996 to February, 1997. Samples were collected using a BIONESS electronic multinet (204 samples on 54 stations) along inshore-offshore sections. Zooplankton abundance and biomass were estimated in relation to the variability of temperature, salinity and fluorescence. Spatial and vertical distribution patterns of the most important zooplankton groups were studied. During June, in the northern area, abundance and biomass of 2787 - 1735 r ind m and 29.3 - 26.7 r mg r m, respectively, were reported. The zooplankton community was constituted essentially by copepods and cladocerans. In the southern area, instead, an abundance of 4698 - 5978 r ind r m and a dry weight of 25.4 - 15.3 r mg r m were observed, with a reverse dominance ratio between these groups. In February, in the northern area the zooplankton community (1380 - 595 r ind r m and 19.6 - 9.9 r mg r m) was mainly constituted by copepods, larvae of invertebrates, appendicularians and cladocerans; in the southern area zooplankton average abundance was 969 - 493 r ind r m and 9.9 - 3.2 r mg r m being copepods, cladocerans, appendicularians and larvae of invertebrates. The zooplankton spatial distribution, in this period, did not show the classic inshore-offshore gradient. Spatial distribution and biomass values of zooplankton, in the northern Adriatic Sea, were strongly influenced by hydrological characteristics, allowed up to formulate a preliminary model about distribution, along the water column, of the different associations of species assemblages with regard to different water masses in the neritic system.     

Diel vertical migration and feeding patterns of Mysis mixta (Crustacea,Mysidacea) in the Baltic Sea

The extent of the nocturnal vertical migration of Mysis mixta Lilljeborg varied between early July and late October (of 1985 and 1986) in a coastal area of the Baltic Sea. Migration was more restricted in early July and late October. Seasonal changes in surface light levels and transparency were sufficient to explain the observed differences. Mysids avoided light levels above 10^-4 lux throughout the study period. Smaller juveniles migrated higher up than larger juveniles and adults. A two-layered distribution with part of the population close to the bottom was observed at night. Zooplankton were more abundant in water layers above the main concentration of mysids. M. mixta fed on phytoplankton, detritus, copepods, cladocerans, rotifers and tintinnids. Diel changes in gut fluorescence indicated a higher intake of phytoplankton at night, but levels were low compared to primarily herbivorous zooplankton. Comparisons of stomach contents of mysids caught at the bottom in the evening and in the water column at night showed a higher ingestion of zooplankton at night and of detritus during the day. Mysids caught at the bottom at night had an intermediate diet. Copepods and cladocerans constituted between 90 and 100% of ingested material by weight in all mysid groups.     

Elaphoidella grandidieri (Harpacticoida: Copepoda): demographic characteristics and possible use as live prey in aquaculture

In freshwater ecosystems, rotifers and cladocerans are ideal prey for fish larvae whereas copepods, due to their purported low growth rate and predatory tendency, are not. We recently isolated the parthenogenetic Elaphoidella grandidieri (Gueme et Richard, 1893) a benthic freshwater harpacticoid, from a fish farm in the State of Morelos, central Mexico and tested its potential as a live prey organism for larval vertebrates. Population growth and life table demography experiments were conducted, in 100 ml recipients with 50 ml of test medium on a diet of Scenedesmus acutus at a density of 1.0 X 10(6) cell ml(-1); the former on live algae alone while the latter on live algae as well as detritus. We also conducted experiments to document the prey preference for this copepod by the larval Ameca splendens (Pisces: Goodeidae) and Ambystoma mexicanum (Amphibia: Ambystomatidae), fed the rotifer Plationus patulus, the ostracod Heterocypris incongruens, and the cladocerans Moina macrocopa and Daphnia pulex. Elaphoidella grandidieri is relatively easy to maintain under laboratory conditions, reaching densities (copepodites and adults) of more than 10,000 l(-1). The generation time ranged between 30-45 days, depending on the diet. The net reproductive rate was as high as 60 nauplii female(-1) day (1). Population growth rates ranged between 0.03 and 0.11 d(-1), live algae being the superior diet compared to detritus. Both predators showed no preference for E. grandidieri, but in the absence of alternate prey they consumed 80% of the harpacticoids offered. The data have been discussed in relation to the potential of E. grandidierias live food for aquaculture.     

常德柳叶湖及其连通水体浮游甲壳动物群落结构与水环境特征

为研究连通水体中浮游甲壳动物的群落结构,于2018年6月至2019年3月,对常德市柳叶湖、穿紫河和沅江常德市区河段组成的连通水体浮游甲壳动物和理化环境进行每季度一次的采样调查.共发现浮游甲壳动物27种,其中桡足类10种,枝角类17种.连通水体浮游甲壳动物丰度变化范围为1-132 ind./L,沅江常德市区河段浮游甲壳动...     

Temporal variability in functional responses and prey selectivity of the pelagic mysid, Mysis mixta, in natural prey assemblages

Predation rates and prey selection of the pelagic mysid shrimp, Mysis mixta, were studied experimentally in the northern Baltic Sea in 1998 during their most intensive growth period, from June to October. Functional responses during 5 months were determined by providing the mysids with a natural zooplankton assemblage, diluted to several different concentrations. The results show that ingestion rate increased, along with mysid growth, from early summer to autumn and that saturation level was reached between 400 and 500 μg C l⁻¹. Ingestion rates increased with increasing prey concentration, and sigmoidal curves explained mostly the variation in ingestion rates (explanatory levels of 86–97%). Prey selection was evident in June, July and August, though weaker during the latter 2 months. Selection differed between the studied months but, generally, copepods were more positively selected than cladocerans. Rotifers were the main prey during June and July, when mysids were small, while larger mysids fed on copepods and cladocerans. Of the copepods, Eurytemora affinis was a truly selected species. This study shows that mysids feed on many zooplankton taxa and that they undergo ontogenetic diet shifts. Received: 19 July 2000 / Accepted: 19 October 2000     

富营养化对浅水湖泊轮虫种群结构影响研究

石臼湖和固城湖是长江中下游两个浅水湖泊,富营养化问题日益突出。为探索湖泊富营养化对轮虫的影响,于2012年平水期和枯水期对这两个湖泊轮虫种群结构进行了调查,并检测水体理化因子,分析轮虫分布与水环境因子及水体富营养状况的关系。水质检测结果显示,平水期石臼湖除个别点水体综合营养状态指数（TLI）〉50为轻度富营养状态外,大多数站点TLI50,处于轻度-中度富营养化状态。水生生物调查检出轮虫35种,其中石臼湖33种,固城湖27种,平水期种类多于枯水期。出现的轮虫以臂尾轮虫（Brachionus）和异尾轮虫（Trichocerca）居多,优势种主要有螺形龟甲轮虫（Keratella cochlearis）、广生多肢轮虫（Polyarthra vulgaris）、疣毛轮虫（Trichocerca sp.）、沟痕泡轮虫（Pompholyx sulcata）、异尾轮虫属和臂尾轮虫属等。轮虫平均密度3023.19 ind·L-1,平均生物量745.72μg·L-1。现存量季节变动明显,大部分站点平水期大于枯水期。轮虫多样性指数也是平水期大于枯水期,石臼湖轮虫多样性大于固城湖。水体综合营养状态指数（TLI）与轮虫种类数和多样性成显著负相关,随着富营养化加剧,轮虫种类减少,多样性降低。典范对应分析（Canonical Correspondence Analysis,CCA）表明,影响轮虫种群分布的主要环境因子为NH4＋-N、TN、TP和CODMn。按轮虫丰度分布与水环境因子的关系排序,2次调查的24个站点可大致分成3个组。轮虫种群结构受水体富营养状态影响,每组站点的代表性种类对水体营养状态有较好的指示作用。组1的代表性种类为曲腿龟甲轮虫,指示营养级别O-β;组2代表性种类萼花臂尾轮虫,指示的营养级别为β-α;组3以O营养级种类为主。     

长江口南北支浮游动物群落生态学研究

长江口特殊的生态环境使得浮游动物的种类组成、密度和时空分布等生态特征有别于其它水体。2005年秋季（丰水期）和2006年春季（枯水期）对长江口南北支浮游动物进行了2个航次的调查,沿南北支由西向东设立3个采样断面共20个采样点。共采集到浮游动物227种,其中轮虫65种,原生动物107种,枝角类15种,桡足类40种。优势种包括龟甲轮虫（Keratella）、刺簇多肢轮虫（Polyarthra trigla）、萼花臂尾轮虫（Brachionus calyciflorus）、砂壳虫（Difflugia）、表壳虫（Arcella）、砂壳纤毛虫（Tintinnid）、中华哲水蚤（Calanus sinicus）、汤匙华哲水蚤（Sinocalanus dorrii）、广布中剑水蚤（Mesocyclops leuckarti）、象鼻溞（Bosmina）等。文章对南北两支浮游动物的种类组成和结构进行了比较,南支浮游动物的种类、数量及生物多样都高于北支,南北两支的浮游动物群落相似度很低。南北两支水域环境的不同造成其浮游动物群落结构的较大差异,文章分析了环境因子与浮游动物群落结构的相关性,其中水温是重要的影响因素,水温的季节性决定了浮游动物在时间分布上的变化。盐度对浮游动物群落结构的影响主要决定了其物种生态类型及空间分布。从整体上看,南北支主要受长江径流控制,浮游动物的种类组成以淡水种为主,咸水种在断面3出现较多。     

Seasonal variation and diversity of rotifers in Ehoma lake, Nigeria

The zooplankton and physicochemistry of Ehoma lake were studied from March 2005 to August 2006 in order to evaluate seasonal trend in species composition and abundance in relation to water quality. Forty two (42) species of rotifers dominated by Keratella tropica tropica were encountered. Species richness declined by nearly 50% from dry season values during the rainy season. Species richness was higher in the littoral zone during the dry season, the reverse was the case during the rainy season. Species abundance followed similar trend as species richness. Abundance was closely associated with dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand and width of the lake and these in turn varied significantly between seasons. Shannon-Weaver diversity varied from 2.2 to 3.8 bit ind(-1) and significantly between seasons (p<0.05). Anuraeopsis navicula navicula and Euchlanis dilatata dilatata Ehrenbreg were the only species gained during the flood periods.     

珠江口磨刀门轮虫群落结构特征与水质生态学评价

轮虫是浮游动物群落中的重要组成部分,对水质变化反应敏感,调查轮虫群落的种类组成和丰度变化,可以获知水质变化和水体的营养状况,并可作为水质评价依据。于2009年7月至2010年1月,对珠江口磨刀门3个站点（S1滞水区、S2河道和S3水流交汇区）轮虫群落结构特征进行每月两次的调查,同时测定了水温、盐度、透明度、叶绿素、总氮、总磷等理化指标,利用非生物环境因子对水体的营养状况进行了TLIc加权综合营养状态指数评价,并通过轮虫种类组成、E/O指数、QB/T指数和生物多样性指数对水质进行了生态学评价。调查期间,水温12~29℃,盐度0.11~7.9 PSU,叶绿素a浓度0.89-9.56μg·L-1,叶绿素a与水温呈显著正相关（p〈0.0001）,与盐度呈显著负相关（p〈0.01）。磨刀门水域3个采样站点TLIc处于50~60之间,表明其水质均达到轻度富营养水平,富营养程度按S1、S2、S3依次递减。调查期间,共记录轮虫56种,S1站点轮虫种类最多,其中污染指示轮虫42种。污染指示种占轮虫总数比例表明,珠江口磨刀门达到了富营养化水平,与利用非生物环境因子作出综合营养状态指数TLIc的评价结果一致。磨刀门的优势种为广布多肢轮虫（Polyarthra vulgaris）、螺形龟甲轮虫（Keratella cochlearis）、热带龟甲轮虫（Keratella tropica）和暗小异尾轮虫（Trichocerca pusilla）。调查期间,轮虫丰度在S1、S2、S3变化范围分别为0~199 ind·L-1、1~54 ind·L-1和0~48 ind·L-1,平均丰度分别为31±54 ind·L-1、13±15 ind·L-1和11±13 ind·L-1。丰水期的8月下旬轮虫丰度达到最大值;枯水期丰度均较低。轮虫丰度与水温、总氮、叶绿素显著正相关（p〈0.05）,与盐度显著负相关（p〈0.05）。磨刀门河口理化因子变化剧烈,轮虫多样性指数波动范围较大,反映出河口水域轮虫群落结构的不稳定性。冗余分析（RDA）表明水温、盐度和叶绿素是影响轮     

生态修复后九曲湾水库浮游动物优势种演替及生态位特征分析

探究生态修复后九曲湾水库浮游动物优势种生态位特征及主要影响因素,为九曲湾水库及相关饮用水源地水库生态系统的保护、修复提供理论和技术支撑.于生态修复前2014年4月(平稳期)、2014年7月(爆发期),2015—2016年生态修复后12月(枯水期)、4月(平水期)、7月(丰水期)进行数据采集,采用优势度、Levins生态...     

Utilization of a new bdelloid rotifer (Philodina acuticornis odiosa) assay to evaluate the effect of salinity on the toxicity of chlorothalonil

Acute (24 h) toxicity tests were conducted to determine the toxicity of the fungicide chlorothalonil towards the freshwater bdelloid rotifer (Philodina acuticornis odiosa). Since rotifers are the dominant zooplankton species in many inland freshwater lakes in Australia, the influence of salinity on chlorothalonil toxicty was also assessed. The rotifers used in this study appeared to be reasonably tolerant to changes in salinity, with little mortality observed at 3760 µS cm^?1, increasing thereafter at higher salinity. The bdelloid rotifers were, however, found to be highly sensitive to chlorothalonil (24 h LC50, 3.2 µg L^?1) with results also suggesting that as salinity increases, so does toxicity (e.g., 24 h LC50 at 5000 µS cm^?1, 0.5 µg L^?1).     

Changes in life histories of cladocerans (Cladocera) from the rotifer-mediated allelochemicals

ABSTRACT

We hypothesised that at higher densities herbivorous rotifers through their allelochemicals affect the survival and reproduction of cladocerans. To test this, we separately cultured three rotifers (Brachionus calyciflorus, Brachionus havanaensis, and Plationus patulus) and three cladocerans (Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia pulex, and Moina macrocopa). Chlorella vulgaris was used as food and reconstituted moderately hard water was used as medium. The conditioned-medium (CM) obtained from each of rotifer species was used to conduct cohort life table tests of cladocerans. SDS PAGE electrophoresis revealed the molecular weights of proteins present in the rotifer conditioned medium were 55–63?kDa. Compared to C. dubia and D. pulex, Moina was more resistant to rotifer-mediated chemicals. Gross reproductive rate of C. dubia was significantly stimulated by the rotifer-CM. However, gross and net reproductive rates of D. pulex were strongly reduced (72–85%) due to P. patulus-CM but not from the other two rotifer species. The rate of population increase of M. macrocopa was significantly reduced by the rotifer CM. Overall, about 46% (adverse effect: 24%; stimulatory impact: 22%) of the life history variables in controls significantly differed from rotifer-CM treatments, thus proving our hypothesis that rotifer-mediated allelochemicals had some effect on the cladoceran life history variables.     

Seasonal variations of chlorophyll-a in Demirdöven Dam Reservoir (Erzurum, Turkey) in relation to phytoplankton density and environmental factors

The seasonal variations of Chlorophyll-a was examined in relation to phytoplankton density and physico-chemical factors in Demird?ven Dam Reservoir during 2000-2001. Chlorophyll-a concentrations ranged from 0.62 to 7.19 mg/m3 and from 0.67 to 8.88 mg/m3 in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Maximum Chlorophyll-a concentrations were found near the metalimnion and decreased with depth. Chlorophyll-a concentrations showed positive correlation to phytoplankton density, water temperature and nutrient concentrations, and negative correlations to Secchi depth. Demird?ven Dam Reservoir can be classified as a mesotrophic reservoir according to Chlorophyll-a concentrations.     

Diet and prey selectivity of scyphomedusae from Port Phillip Bay,Australia

Scyphomedusae collected from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia, between 1984 and 1986, consumed a variety of zooplankton. The percentage composition of gut contents of Cyanea capillata (Linné) in order of decreasing importance was larvaceans 31%, cladocerans 29%, fish eggs 14%, copepods 11%, hydromedusae 9%, and ascidian tadpoles 3%. The percentage composition of gut contents of Pseudorhiza haeckeli Haacke was fish eggs 41%, copepods 33%, larvaceans 8%, cladocerans 4%, crab zoea 4%, and decapod larvae 1%. Both species of scyphomedusae showed strong positive selection for fish eggs and yolk-sac larvae, and negative selection for other prey items. When fish eggs were omitted from the selectivity analyses, C. capillata showed positive selection for amphipods, decapods, crab zoea, Podon spp., larvaceans and ascidian tadpoles, and negative selection for Evadne spp. and all copepod taxa. Pseudorhiza haeckeli showed positive selection for amphipods, decapod larvae, crab zoea and cladocerans, and negative selection for cirripede larvae, larvaceans and hydromedusae. Amongst copepods, P. haeckeli showed positive selection for calanoid and harpacticoid copepods and negative selection for cyclopoid copepods.     

Food utilisation of pelagic mysids, Mysis mixta and M. relicta, during their growing season in the northern Baltic Sea

The dietary habits of the pelagic mysid Mysismixta were studied during its growing season at an open sea location in the Gulf of Finland, the northern Baltic Sea. Stomach samples were taken twice a month from June to September 1997. The most abundant phytoplankton taxa in the stomachs were diatoms and dinoflagellates, and copepods and cladocerans were the most abundant zooplankton identified. A clear change was found in the diets during the study period. Small mysids (3 to 6 mm) fed on sedimented phytoplankton in the early summer (90% benthic particles in June) but shifted gradually to a more pelagic and carnivorous diet (>40% pelagic particles, consisting of ca. 60% zooplankton in September). Seasonal changes in mysid capture ability as well as food availability were suggested to affect the diet composition of mysids during their growth. The ratio of pelagic and benthic food particles could – irrespective of the season – be explained by mysid size, whereas the zooplankton:phytoplankton ratio was better explained by season. The stomach analysis suggests that the mysids needed to attain a threshold size of 8 to 11 mm to initiate feeding on the more evasive copepods. Mysids also started to grow faster at the same time as the proportion of copepods increased in the diet, which suggests that copepods are an important energy source for M. mixta in late summer. Finally, a comparison was made between the M. mixta diet and that of the less abundant M. relicta. The diets of the two pelagic mysid species overlapped by 75% (Schoener's index). The main difference was due to M. mixta eating more zooplankton and pelagic material than M. relicta. Received: 15 September 1999 / Accepted: 18 January 2000     

The trophic linkage between zooplankton and benthic suspension feeders: direct evidence from analyses of bivalve faecal pellets

Using radiotracer (¹⁴C) and microscopic observation, we demonstrated that mussels (Mytilus edulis and Perna viridis) could be predators of mesozooplankton (rotifer Brachionus plicatilis). At radio-labelled rotifer densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 individual ml⁻¹, faecal pellets of mussels showed different degrees of radio signals and most of the faecal pellets were expelled 4 h after pulse feeding on rotifers. The maximum gut retention time (GRT) of ¹⁴C-labelled rotifers in the digestive diverticula did not o show any significant difference between the two mussel species or the different densities of rotifers, and the averaged GRT was 43.4±3.06 h (mean ± SE). At a rotifer density of 4.5 individual ml⁻¹, rotifer lorica pieces and rotifer bodies without eggs were found in faeces of M. edulis, while in the pseudofaeces, only complete rotifer bodies were found.     

Studies on comparative population growth of some species of the rotifer Lecane (Rotifera)

We compared the population growth patterns of 5 species of the rotifer genus Lecane [(L. quadridentata (Ehrenberg, 1830), L. comuta (Muller, 1786), L. papuana (Murray, 1913), L. unguitata (Fadeev, 1925) and L. pyriformis (Daday, 1905)] ranging in adult average body size from 30 to 140 microm. All species were cultured under laboratory conditions for 25-30 days using the green alga Scenedesmus acutus as the exclusive diet, at a density of 1.0 x 10(6) cells ml(-1) at 24 degrees C. Regardless of the species, lecanids reached their peak population densities after 4 weeks. Peak population densities ranged from 15 to 320 ind. ml(-1), depending on body size. There was an inverse curvilinear relation between body lengths and peak population abundances (densities) of the Lecane species. Egg ratios (eggs per female) for the tested species were < 0.6 during the exponential phase but declined to 0.1 (or lower) as the population density increased. The rates of population increase for the lecanids were in general lower(0.10 to 0.21 day (-1)) than other well-studied rotifer species including members of Brachionidae.     

Freshwater lakes--a potential source for aquaculture activities--a model study on Perumal Lake, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

The freshwater Perumal lake located at Cuddalore was assessed for its suitability and potential for aquaculture practices. Various hydrobiological parameters determined reveals that the various physicochemical characteristics are with in normal range of values. The DO level, BOD and COD values determined in the lake revealed the consequences of community activities and pollution possibilities. The primary productivity data revealed maximum productivity during March which infer that the lake is unaffected by anthropogenic disturbance and community contamination. The bacterial count remained higher during the monsoon periods, which characterize profuse rainfall and storm water discharge into the lake. The microfauna includes zooplankter such as cladocerans, copepods, rotifers and ostracods. Benthos include carps, catfishes, mullets and prawns. The above study revealed that the various parameters in the lake conform to the levels suited for freshwater fish culture and represents a resource for scientific management.     

Surface zooplankton dynamics and community structure in the Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat), Red Sea

Winter and summer zooplankton maxima were observed on both near-reef and offshore sampling sites in the northern part of the Gulf of Aqaba, with summer maxima smaller than those of winter and more characterized by larval forms. Near-reef zooplankton biomass was generally several times greater than that observed 2 km offshore. During 1987, a near-reef maximum of 155 ind. or 12.2 g wet biomass m^–3 was observed in March, while 103 ind. or 8.5 g wet biomass m^–3 was observed in July. In the same year, 2 km offshore a maximum of 53 ind. or 2.5 g wet biomass m^–3 was observed in February, while a maximum of 33 ind. or 0.5 g wet biomass m^–3 was noted in July. The following year, 1988, the near-reef zooplankton abundances were little changed, but offshore zooplankton abundances were much higher (317 m^–3). During 1987, the dominant winter (March) forms near the reef were gammarid amphipods, at maximum concentrations of 100 ind. m^–3, where the summer (July) maximum was composed primarily of mysids (34 m^–3), gammarid amphipods (30 m^–3), and fish eggs (24 m^–3). The offshore winter zooplankton fauna was characterized by copepods and appendicularians, each at a maximum concentrations of ca 13 ind. m^–3, while the summer maximum was dominated by brachyuran zoea (31 m^–3). Though the 1988, winter near-reef zooplankton community compositions were similar to those of 1987, the offshore zooplankton fauna was dominated by ostracods, which were relatively rare in previous years. Preliminary data suggests that holoplanktonic forms like chaetognaths, copepods and appendicularians, at an offshore site exhibit different patterns of vertical migration than those near the reef. This different behavior may result from different species compositions of these taxa or from high concentrations of pseudoplanktonic bentho-neritic peracarid crustaceans.Please address correspondence and reprint requests to T. Echelman, Marine Science Research Center, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5000, USA