Seasonal variability of meroplankton in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Southern Baltic Sea.

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Main Authors: Makatun, Adam, Weydmann-Zwolicka, Agata
Format: Artículo científico
Language:en
Published: Scientific reports 2025
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author Makatun, Adam
Weydmann-Zwolicka, Agata
author_facet Makatun, Adam
Weydmann-Zwolicka, Agata
Makatun, Adam
Weydmann-Zwolicka, Agata
collection PubMed - marine biology
contents Seasonal variability of meroplankton in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Southern Baltic Sea. Makatun, Adam Weydmann-Zwolicka, Agata Seasons Animals Ecosystem Oceans and Seas Zooplankton Biodiversity Fishes Baltic States Meroplankton consists of the larvae of fish and benthic organisms, and plays a crucial role in linking pelagic and benthic ecosystems. However, research on zooplankton in the Baltic Sea has usually focused on holoplankton; thus, there are still significant gaps in knowledge about meroplankton and its seasonal variability. Consequently, as one of the first Baltic studies, we focused solely on the meroplankton community and its seasonal and spatial changes. Samples were collected monthly, year-round, between May 2021 and April 2022 from four stations located in the Gulf of Gdańsk, along a transect from the shallow Vistula River estuary to the Gdańsk Deep. The analysis of meroplankton resulted in the determination of 12 types of larvae belonging to 8 classes, and indicated that bivalves and polychaetes were the dominant components of the community. Meroplankton abundance and taxonomic composition showed high seasonality, with the highest abundances in summer, and spatial gradients in taxa diversity along the sampling transect. Additionally, statistical analysis revealed a key role of temperature in structuring the community. Taking the role of meroplankton into account, we propose more research in the Baltic Sea, possibly with the use of novel methods, and a greater focus on meroplankton in monitoring programs.
format Artículo científico
id pubmed_41274973
institution PubMed
language en
publishDate 2025
publisher Scientific reports
record_format pubmed
spellingShingle Seasonal variability of meroplankton in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Southern Baltic Sea.
Makatun, Adam
Weydmann-Zwolicka, Agata
Seasons
Animals
Ecosystem
Oceans and Seas
Zooplankton
Biodiversity
Fishes
Baltic States
Seasonal variability of meroplankton in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Southern Baltic Sea. Makatun, Adam Weydmann-Zwolicka, Agata Seasons Animals Ecosystem Oceans and Seas Zooplankton Biodiversity Fishes Baltic States Meroplankton consists of the larvae of fish and benthic organisms, and plays a crucial role in linking pelagic and benthic ecosystems. However, research on zooplankton in the Baltic Sea has usually focused on holoplankton; thus, there are still significant gaps in knowledge about meroplankton and its seasonal variability. Consequently, as one of the first Baltic studies, we focused solely on the meroplankton community and its seasonal and spatial changes. Samples were collected monthly, year-round, between May 2021 and April 2022 from four stations located in the Gulf of Gdańsk, along a transect from the shallow Vistula River estuary to the Gdańsk Deep. The analysis of meroplankton resulted in the determination of 12 types of larvae belonging to 8 classes, and indicated that bivalves and polychaetes were the dominant components of the community. Meroplankton abundance and taxonomic composition showed high seasonality, with the highest abundances in summer, and spatial gradients in taxa diversity along the sampling transect. Additionally, statistical analysis revealed a key role of temperature in structuring the community. Taking the role of meroplankton into account, we propose more research in the Baltic Sea, possibly with the use of novel methods, and a greater focus on meroplankton in monitoring programs.
title Seasonal variability of meroplankton in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Southern Baltic Sea.
topic Seasons
Animals
Ecosystem
Oceans and Seas
Zooplankton
Biodiversity
Fishes
Baltic States
url https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41274973/