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Science 10 July 1992:
Vol. 257. no. 5067, pp. 230 - 232
DOI: 10.1126/science.257.5067.230
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Articles

Microaggregations of Oceanic Plankton Observed by Towed Video Microscopy

Cabell S. Davis 1, Scott M. Gallager 1, and Andrew R. Solow 2

1 Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543
2 Department of Marine Policy, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543

Oceanic plankton have been hypothesized to occur in micropatches (<10 meters) that can have a large impact on marine ecosystem dynamics. Towed video microscopy was used to unobtrusively determine distributions of oceanic plankton over a continuum of scales from microns to hundreds of meters. Distinct, taxa-specific aggregations measuring less than 20 centimeters were found for copepods but not for nonmotile (cyanobacterial colonies) or asexual (doliolid phorozooids) forms, which suggests that these small patches are related to mating. Significant patchiness was also found on larger scales and was correlated among taxa, indicating physical control. These video observations provide new insights into basic plankton ecology by allowing quantitative assessment of individual plankton in their natural, undisturbed state.

Submitted on March 4, 1992
Accepted on May 18, 1992


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)