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Distribution and composition of small-size zooplankton fraction in a temperate shallow estuary (Western Portugal)
Gonçalves, A.M.M.; Pardal, M.A.; Marques, S.C.; De Troch, M.; Azeiteiro, U.M. (2010). Distribution and composition of small-size zooplankton fraction in a temperate shallow estuary (Western Portugal). Fresenius Environ. Bull. 19(12b): 3160-3176
In: Fresenius Environmental Bulletin. Parlar Scientific Publications (PSP): Freising. ISSN 1018-4619; e-ISSN 1610-2304
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
    Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open Marine Archive 227757 [ download pdf ]
Keywords
    Abundance
    Aquatic communities > Plankton > Zooplankton
    Distribution
    Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
    Marine/Coastal; Brackish water
Author keywords
    Zooplankton; distribution; abundance; RDA analysis; environmentalparameters; temperate shallow estuary
Authors  Top 
  • Gonçalves, A.M.M.
  • Pardal, M.A.
  • Marques, S.C.
  • De Troch, M.
  • Azeiteiro, U.M.
Abstract
    The variation of small zooplankton abundance and distribution patterns was studied in a shallow temperate southern European estuary (Mondego estuary, Portugal). Monthly plankton sampling was carried out from February 2005 to July 2006 at five stations, in both arms of the estuary – north and south, with subsurface 63 µm mesh tows. Concomitant hydrological parameters were measured. 84 zooplankton taxa were identified in the northern and southern arms stations. Copepods were the most abundant group (95.6% of the total abundances). Nauplii were the most abundant copepod development stage (80.3% of the total), followed by copepodites (14.4%). Marine zooplankters were reported at the mouth of the estuary and downstream stations while freshwater and estuarine species dominated in the inner part of the estuary. Statistical analysis (RDA) correlated marine species with high salinity and temperature while freshwater and estuarine species were correlated with low salinity and temperature and high nutrient concentrations. The relationship between species distribution and environmental parameters suggests adaptive strategies of the first stages of copepods to hydrological variations which explain the adults’ abundances.
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