Asset Details
Do you wish to reserve the book?
Abundance, distribution, and feeding ecology of Pyrosoma atlanticum in the Northern California Current
Hey, we have placed the reservation for you!
By the way, why not check out events that you can attend while you pick your title.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place the reservation. Kindly try again later.
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
Abundance, distribution, and feeding ecology of Pyrosoma atlanticum in the Northern California Current
Do you wish to request the book?
Abundance, distribution, and feeding ecology of Pyrosoma atlanticum in the Northern California Current
Please be aware that the book you have requested cannot be checked out. If you would like to checkout this book, you can reserve another copy
We have requested the book for you!
Your request is successful and it will be processed during the Library working hours. Please check the status of your request in My Requests.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place your request. Kindly try again later.
Journal Article
Abundance, distribution, and feeding ecology of Pyrosoma atlanticum in the Northern California Current
2020
Overview
During 2016−2018, unprecedented aggregations of the colonial pelagic tunicate Pyrosoma atlanticum were observed in the Northern California Current (NCC). Pyrosomes are common in tropical and sub-tropical ocean waters, but little is known about their abundance, distribution, and trophic ecology in mid-latitude systems. To assess these factors, pyrosomes were collected during cruises in the NCC in May and August 2017. A generalized additive model (GAM) was used to identify relationships between in situ environmental variables (temperature, salinity, fluorescence) and distribution and abundance patterns of pyrosomes in May 2017. Fatty acid (FA) profiles were then characterized as diet indicators, and bulk stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen was used to examine spatial variations in potential food sources and trophic level. The GAM identified sea surface temperature and surface salinity as significant variables related to pyrosome densities. The most abundant FA in the pyrosomes was docosahexanoic acid (22:6ω3), which serves in pelagic systems as a biomarker for dinoflagellates. Common FA biomarkers for bacteria, carnivory, and dinoflagellates differed by latitude, suggesting that pyrosomes have different diets over a broad latitudinal range. The δ15N values of P. atlanticum indicate that pyrosomes may be feeding at a relatively low trophic level compared to other zooplankton groups in this region. Offshore pyrosomes had lower δ13C values than those collected on the shelf, suggesting incorporation of nearshore carbon in pyrosome tissues. Previously documented rapid reproduction and growth of pyrosomes coupled with efficient feeding behavior for common NCC plankters may support their continued presence in this mid-latitude region.
