MEPS

Marine Ecology Progress Series

MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

Impact Factor2.1 (JCR 2025 release)

Article Acceptance Rate52.2% (2024)

Average Time in Review216 days (2024)

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Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 686:71-89 (2022)

Setting the baseline for the dynamics of siphonophores and hydromedusae in Oslofjorden

ABSTRACT: Knowledge of the spatio-temporal dynamics of hydromedusae and siphonophores is scarce despite their key role as predators. In the temperate inlet of Oslofjorden, studies dealing with these organisms are limited to a few reports from the 1960s on the relationship between selected species and environmental conditions of the inner fjord, but comprehensive assessments of the horizontal, vertical and seasonal variation of the pelagic hydrozoan community are lacking. In this contribution, the quantitative composition of pelagic hydrozoans in Oslofjorden was surveyed using 2 separate sampling designs: one providing a snapshot of the horizontal variation along the inner-outer fjord axis and the other assessing horizontal, seasonal and vertical changes over a yearly cycle. In total, 27 hydrozoan taxa were recorded. Hydrozoan assemblages were structured horizontally, vertically and seasonally, but patterns in the inner-outer axis were evident only when depth and seasonal variation were excluded from the analysis. A distinct assemblage of holoplanktonic hydromedusae inhabited deep (>100 m) waters regardless of season and position in the fjord. Seasonal shifts in species composition and abundance occurred sequentially, with meroplanktonic hydromedusae increasing in numbers from spring to summer and resulting in large aggregations of the medusa-budding species Rathkea octopunctata, Stauridiosarsia gemmifera and Lizzia blondina in late summer and early autumn. No support was found for previous claims stating that the abundance of the common species Aglantha digitale, Lensia conoidea and R. octopunctata increases towards the inner-fjord. This work provides the first baseline data set against which potential changes in gelatinous zooplankton in the region can be contrasted.

KEYWORDS

Luis Martell (Corresponding Author)

  • University Museum of Bergen, Department of Natural History, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, 5020 Bergen, Norway
luis.martell@uib.no

Katrine Selsø (Co-author)

  • Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway

Josefin Titelman (Co-author)

  • Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway

Aino Hosia (Co-author)

  • University Museum of Bergen, Department of Natural History, University of Bergen, PO Box 7800, 5020 Bergen, Norway