Date of Award
5-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
College/School
College of Science and Mathematics
Department/Program
Marine Biology and Coastal Sciences
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Paul A. X. Bologna
Committee Member
John J. Gaynor
Committee Member
Meiyin S. Wu
Abstract
Local populations of gelatinous zooplankton are experiencing increases in response to changes in coastal ecosystems due to anthropogenic forces. The abundance of the Atlantic sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) has dramatically increased in Barnegat Bay, NJ. Lift net sampling was used to determine the density and distribution of sea nettle and ctenophore {Mnemiopsis leidyi) populations, while zooplankton tows were used to compare relationships between their abundance to that of other zooplankton species. Lift net results showed substantial spatial and temporal variability in density and distribution of ctenophores and sea nettles, with these patterns being inversely proportional. Chrysaora quinquecirrha was more abundant in north Barnegat Bay while Mnemiopsis leidyi was more abundant in the south. Zooplankton tow results showed similar trends on spatial and temporal scales. Chrysaora quinquecirrha was collected in southern sample sites, suggesting the expansion of sea nettles in Barnegat Bay. Correlation analysis for the abundance of Mnemiopsis leidyi against other zooplankton suggests predation upon copepods, fish eggs, larval fish, crab and shrimp larvae and is indicative of potential top-down structuring forces in the pelagic community. Correlation analysis between C. quinquecirrha and M. leidyi suggests predation upon the ctenophore species by the scyphozoan.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Castellano, Christie L., "An Assessment of Gelatinous Zooplankton and Impacts on Planktonic Community Structure in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey" (2014). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 374.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/374