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JPR Advance Access published online on June 10, 2004
Journal of Plankton Research, doi:10.1093/plankt/fbh104
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Received February 9, 2002
Accepted June 1, 2004

Article

Siphonophore assemblages along the East Coast of South Africa; Mesoscale distribution and temporal variations

Delphine Thibault-Botha 1*, Johann R. E. Lutjeharms 2, Mark J. Gibbons 3

1 Zoology Department, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, 7535 Bellville, South Africa; Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744 USA
2 Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, 7700 Rondebosch, South Africa
3 Zoology Department, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, 7535 Bellville, South Africa

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: botha{at}com.univ-mrs.fr.


  Abstract

Using multivariate statistics we have examined spatio-temporal patterns in the distribution of siphonophore assemblages along the east coast of South Africa, anticipating constancy in cross-shelf and along shore structure that would mirror the hydrographic stability. Indeed, while the surface temperature of the Agulhas Current do vary on a seasonal basis, the position of its core is thought to have a stable trajectory year round, and its other physical and chemical characteristics are considered to be relatively aseasonal. Two clear aseasonal assemblages were observed, associated either with the nearshore waters in the extreme SW (Port Alfred upwelling cell), or with the Agulhas Current and inshore waters north of East London. Assemblages in the current-driven upwelling cell were characterised by low overall diversity and dense populations of Muggiaea atlantica (up to 28000 ind. 1000m-3). Assemblages elsewhere in the region were dominated by Abylopsis eschscholtzi, A. tetragona, Bassia bassensis, Chelophyes contorta, Diphyes dispar, D. bojani, Eudoxoides spiralis, E. mitra, Lensia subtiloides and Sulculeolaria chuni. There is some evidence of both a long-shore and a cross-shelf pattern in the distribution of assemblages north of East London, but this is subordinate to a stronger seasonal signal. The impact of seasonality on regional assemblages is hypothesised to be reflected in significant changes in the upstream structure of Agulhas Current assemblages.


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