Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T01:43:41.329Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Vertical Distribution of Marine Macroplankton. X. Notes on the Behaviour of Sagitta in the Plymouth Area

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

F. S. Russell
Affiliation:
Naluralist at the Plymouth Laboratory.

Extract

1. The diurnal behaviour of Sagitta of different sizes is shown as a result of collections made with the 2-metre stramin ring-trawl throughout 24 hours on July 15th–16th, 1924, and on June 3rd–4th, 1926.

2. The younger stages of Sagitta elegans appear to withstand higher intensities of light in the daytime than do the older stages, and they migrate first to the surface at dusk, as do those of Sagitta setosa. The older stages leave the surface first at dawn.

3. Diagrams are given showing the curves of equal intensities of light beneath the sea surface throughout 24 hours as calculated from air intensities obtained in June, with a reflection loss of 15%; (a) assuming a coefficient of absorption of 0·200 at all depths, and (b) assuming a coefficient of absorption of 0·100 at all depths.

4. It appears, from a comparison of the behaviour of Sagitta elegans with the calculated light conditions beneath the surface, that the older Sagitta at any rate are more sensitive to light in the early morning after the darkness of the night and can become adapted to light of higher intensities later in the day.

5. Previously published observations on the behaviour of Sagitta sp. on June 17th–18th–19th, 1925, show quite a different type of behaviour from the above, possibly due to more transparent water, the Sagitta only appearing abundantly above 30 metres in the dark. They had again migrated to below 30 m. before there was any appreciable light.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1931

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1Atkins, W. R. G., and Poole, H. H.The Photo-electric Recording of Daylight. Nature, No. 3148, Vol. 125, p. 305, 1930.Google Scholar
2Bigelow, H. B.Plankton of the Offshore Waters of the Gulf of Maine. Bull. Bur. Fish., Vol. XL, 1924, Part II, Doc. No.968, 1926.Google Scholar
3Clarke, G. L.Change of Phototropic and Geotropic Signs in Daphnia induced by Changes of Light Intensity. Journ. Exper. Biol., Vol. VII, No. 2, p. 109, 1930.Google Scholar
4Fowler, G. H.Biscayan Plankton collected during a Cruise of H.M.S. Research, 1900. Part III. The Chætognatha. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 2nd Ser. Zool., Vol. 10, Pt. 3, p. 55, 1905.Google Scholar
5Huntsman, A. G. A Special Study of the Canadian Chsætognatha, their Distribution, etc., in the Waters of the Eastern Coast. Canadian Fisheries Expedition, 1914–15, p. 421. Department of the Naval Service, Ottawa, 1919.Google Scholar
6Huntsman, A. G., and REID, MARGARET E.The Success of Reproduction in Sagilta elegans in the Bay of Fundy in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Trans. Canadian Instit., Vol. XIII, Part 2, p. 99, 1921.Google Scholar
7Kikuchi, Kenzo.A Comparison of the Diurnal Migration of Plankton in Eight Japanese Lakes. Mem. Coll. Sci., Kyoto Imp. Univ., Ser. B, Vol. V, No. 1 (Article 3), p. 27, 1930.Google Scholar
8Meek, Alexander. On Sagitta elegans and Sagitta setosa from the Northumbrian Plankton, with a Note on a Trematode Parasite. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 743, 1928.Google Scholar
9Nikitine, B., Les migrations verticales saisonnierés des organismes planktoniques dans la Mer Noire. Bull, de l'lnst. Océan. Monaco, No. 540, 1929.Google Scholar
10Poole, H. H., and Atkins, W. R. G.Photo-electric Measurements of Submarine Illumination throughout the Year. Journ. Mar. Biol. Assoc., N.S., Vol. XVI, No. 1, p. 297, 1929.Google Scholar
11Russell, F. S.The Vertical Distribution of Marine Macroplankton. An Observation on Diurnal Changes. Journ. Mar. Biol. Assoc., N.S., Vol. XIII, No. 4, p. 769, 1925.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12Russell, F. S.The Vertical Distribution of Marine Macroplankton. III. Diurnal Observations on the Pelagic Young of Teleostean Fishes. Journ. Mar. Biol. Assoc., Vol. XIV, No. 2, p. 387, 1926.Google Scholar
13Russell, F. S.The Vertical Distribution of Marine Macroplankton. IV. The Apparent Importance of Light Intensity as a Controlling Factor in the Behaviour of certain Species in the Plymouth Area. Journ. Mar. Biol. Assoc., Vol. XIV, No. 2, p. 415, 1926.Google Scholar
14Russell, F. S.The Vertical Distribution of Marine Macroplankton. VI. Further Observations on Diurnal Changes. Journ. Mar. Biol. Assoc., Vol. XV, No. 1, p. 81, 1928.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15Russell, F. S.The Vertical Distribution of Marine Macroplankton. VIII. Further Observations on the Diurnal Behaviour of the Pelagic Young of Teleostean Fishes in the Plymouth Area. Journ. Mar. Biol. Assoc., Vol. XV, No. 3, p. 829, 1928.Google Scholar
16Russell, F. S.The Vertical Distribution of Plankton in the Sea. Biological Reviews, Vol. II, No. 3, p. 213, 1927.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17Von Ritter-Záhony, Rudolf. Die Chätognathen der Plankton-Expedition. Ergeb. d. Plankt. Exp. d. Humboldt. Stiftung., Bd. II, H.e., 1911.Google Scholar
18Von Ritter-Záhony, Rudolf. Das Tierreich. 29 Lief. Vermes. Chætognathi. 1911.Google Scholar
19Worthington, E. B.Vertical Movements of Fresh-water Macroplankton. Summarised in Proceedings Linn. Soc. London, No. 518, p. 2, 1920.Google Scholar