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Lai Y, Tan Y, Ke Z, Zhou L, Liu J, Zhang H, Wang J, Li K, Lian X. Size-dependent zoogeographical distribution of gelatinous thaliaceans associated with current velocity and temperature. Sci Total Environ 2024; 920:170943. [PMID: 38365029 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Thaliaceans are globally distributed and play an important role in the world's biological carbon pump and marine ecosystems by forming dense swarms with high feeding rates and producing large amounts of fecal pellets and carcasses. The contribution of thaliacean swarms to the downward transport of carbon depends not only on their abundance but also on their body size. However, the key factors influencing the distribution of different-sized thaliaceans remain unstudied. To discriminate thaliacean assemblages and examine the key factors determining the zoogeographical distribution and abundance of different-sized thaliaceans during different monsoon periods, we conducted three cruises in the South China Sea from before the southwest monsoon to the peak of the northeast monsoon. Our results revealed that high thaliacean abundance corresponded to high chlorophyll a concentration, which were associated with hydrodynamic processes, such as upwelling and eddies. Hierarchical partitioning and niche difference analyses demonstrated that current velocity and temperature are key factors that shaped the zoogeographical distribution of different-sized thaliaceans. The global dataset indicated that small-sized thaliacean species tend to occur in coastal areas where the current velocity is generally high, while large-sized species tend to occur in open ocean areas where the current velocity is generally low. The results revealed that global warming-induced changes in surface current velocity and temperature may alter the zoogeographical distribution and abundance of thaliaceans with different sizes, thereby affecting the biological carbon pump and surrounding marine ecosystem. Overall, this study sheds light on the potential responses of pelagic tunicates to global climate change through changes in their hydrodynamic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjiao Lai
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yehui Tan
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Zhixin Ke
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Linbin Zhou
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Jiaxing Liu
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Huangchen Zhang
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Guangdong Center for Marine Development Research, Guangzhou 510220, China
| | - Junxing Wang
- Marine Technology Center of Huizhou, Huizhou 516000, China
| | - Kaizhi Li
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Xiping Lian
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
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