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Temporal patterns of change in the necrophagous hyperbenthic zooplankton community of Lobster Bay, Cape d'Aguilar Marine Reserve, Hong Kong

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 May 2004

Christine N.W. Lee
Affiliation:
The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Cape d'Aguilar, Shek O, Hong Kong Present address: C545, Kwun Lung Lau, 20 Lung Wah Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong
Brian Morton
Affiliation:
The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Cape d'Aguilar, Shek O, Hong Kong Present address: The Western Australian Museum, Frances Street, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Abstract

Crab-baited traps, with a 5-mm diameter opening, were deployed 90 mm off the seabed monthly at Lobster Bay, Hong Kong, for one year between 1998 and 1999. Visitors drawn to the traps were mainly species of Ceradocus (Gammaridea: Melitidae), Tisbe (Harpacticoida: Tisbidae) and Nebalia (Leptostraca: Nebaliacea). Apart from Ceradocus sp., all were scavengers with catches using baited traps significantly exceeding unbaited controls. Ceradocus sp. was apparently drawn to traps for refuge. The trapped scavenger community composition changed with deployment duration in the presence of bait. Nebalia sp., Neanthes cricognatha (Polychaeta: Nereidae) and Lepedepecreum sp. (Gammaridea: Lysianassoidea) were identified mostly two/three-days post-deployment, exhibiting a potential preference for rotten organic matter. Seasonal catches were also identified for all three visitors with maxima between October 1998 and April 1999. Such seasonal patterns might be related to either turbulence destabilizing the substratum during this period or life cycle patterns in the study area.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2004 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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