A preliminary survey of the small natant fauna in the vicinity of the sea floor off Blyth, Northumberland
Bossanyi, J. (1957). A preliminary survey of the small natant fauna in the vicinity of the sea floor off Blyth, Northumberland. J. Anim. Ecol. 26: 353-368
www.jstor.org/stable/1752
In: Journal of Animal Ecology. Blackwell Science/British Ecological Society: Oxford. ISSN 0021-8790; e-ISSN 1365-2656, more
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| Abstract |
1. The `bottom plankton' at two stations of differing depth and type of bottom was surveyed with a bottom sled net by day and night. 2. The small natant fauna just above the sea floor is rich both by day and at night. 3. The daytime plankton at both stations consisted mainly of ordinary plankton dominated by a few species of Copepoda but contained a small proportion of bottom dwelling forms, especially earlier in the year at the deeper station. 4. The nocturnal plankton differed considerably at the two stations. Its composition was related to the depth and nature of the sea floor since it was dominated by bottom dwelling Amphipoda and Cumacea. More variety was found over mud, but larger numbers over sand. 5. The bottom dwelling forms showed different diurnal behaviour in April and July, for which reasons are suggested. 6. The food relationships of `bottom plankton' are discussed. |
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