Seasonal dynamics and life histories of three sympatric species of Pseudocalanus in two Svalbard fjords.

ABSTRACT: Small copepods are the most diverse and numerous group in high-latitude zooplankton, yet our knowledge of important species remains poor because of the difficulties involved in correct species identification. In this study, we use a molecular method of identification, a species-specific polymerase chain reaction, to provide the first description of the seasonal dynamics and life histories of the important genus Pseudocalanus in two Svalbard fjords with contrasting environments. We conducted monthly investigations in the relatively warm and ice-free Adventfjorden, supplemented with seasonal samples from the colder, seasonally ice-covered Billefjorden. We found three species of Pseudocalanus (the Arctic P. acuspes and P. minutus, and the boreal P. moultoni)

SUBMITTER: Ershova EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8355481 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature