The role of oceanographic conditions and colony size in shaping the spatial structure of Pyrosoma atlanticum in the NW Mediterranean Sea.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the role of winter oceanographic conditions on the horizontal and vertical spatial structure of Pyrosoma atlanticum at different ontogenetic stages. Data were obtained on two oceanographic cruises (February 2017 and 2018) in the NW Mediterranean. Small colonies were exceptionally abundant in 2017, linked to an earlier development of spring conditions and the subsequent seasonal phytoplankton bloom. The mesoscale distribution of P. atlanticum differed depending on the colony size. Large colonies (≥7 mm) were found on the slope all along the density front, whereas small (<4 mm) and medium colonies (4-6.9 mm) extended their distribution over the shelf because of instabilities of the front, and were mostly absent in the cold, low-salinity coastal waters. T

SUBMITTER: Pastor-Prieto M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9692197 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature