Jacques Castel

Influence of seagrass beds and oyster parks on the abundance and biomass patterns of meio- and macrobenthos in tidal flats

In Arcachon Bay, on the south-west coast of France, the intertidal area is mainly occupied by sandbanks, oyster parks (Crassostrea gigas) and mud flats covered with seagrass beds (Zostera noltii). In order to estimate the relative contribution of meio- and macrofauna to the benthic ecology of these tidal flats, seven stations were studied seasonally for a year. Relationships between faunal density and biomass, and external factors such as sediment structure, benthic chlorophyll and seagrass debris were investigated. A comparison was made between bare sands, oyster beds and vegetated sediment in semi-exposed conditions and in sheltered areas. Using a stepwise method of multiple linear regression it was shown that high densities of macrobenthos are mostly explained by high quantities of plant debris. For meiofauna, together with plant debris, other effective variables are involved: silt content, organic carbon, chlorophyll pigments. On an average, a correlation between macro- and meiofaunal abundances could be found. However, this general pattern is modified by the biogenic structure created by the oysters and seagrass. When compared to the adjacent sandbanks, oysters clearly enhanced meiofaunal abundance (from 1130–4170 individuals 10 cm−2) but depressed macrofaunal densities (from 640-370 individuals 400 cm−2). The organic-rich oyster biodeposits probably favour meiofauna by an increase of the trophic resources but do not favour macroinfauna by inducing low oxygen concentrations. Moreover, it is likely that macrofauna is more sensitive to predation than meiofauna both in sandbanks and in oyster parks. For both meio- and macrofauna the highest incidences (7200 individuals 10 cm−2 and 2470 individuals 400 cm−2, respectively) are recorded in seagrass bed sediments. Zostera induces an enhancement of organic detritus and provides a refuge against predation. In terms of biomass, the macrofauna/meiofauna ratio is 25·1 in sandbanks, 1·5 in oyster parks and 4·2 in seagrass bed sediments. Macrofaunal biomass is more variable both spatially and temporally than meiofauna biomass. It is likely that the macrofauna is more sensitive to external factors such as predation, anoxia, exposure, than the meiofauna. Meiofauna abundance and biomass are more usually a function of food abundance and physical properties of the sediment.

Comparative spring distribution of zooplankton in three macrotidal European estuaries

The zooplankton of three european estuaries (Ems, Gironde and Westerschelde) was investigated during spring 1992 by means of samples taken along the salinity gradient. The three estuaries are comparable in terms of total area, flushing time and salinity gradient but differ by their level of eutrophication (highest in the Westerschelde), suspended matter concentration (highest in the Gironde) and potential phytoplankton production (highest in the Ems). Copepods and meroplankton dominated the zooplankton in the three estuaries. The dominant copepod species were Eurytemora affinis and Acartia bifilosa. The distribution of E. affinis along the salinity gradient differed between the estuaries. Peaks of abundance were observed at 0 PSU in the Gironde, 6 PSU in the Ems and 9 PSU in the Westerschelde. The downstream shift of the population in the Westerschelde was likely due to anoxic conditions occurring in the oligohaline zone. In the Gironde the downstream distribution of E. affinis was limited by the very high suspended matter concentration found in the maximum turbidity zone. Whatever the estuary, the parameters of the population of E. affinis and maximum abundance values were similar. However, the influence of the better quality of the available food was suggested in the Ems where individual dry weights and egg production were higher than in the two other estuaries. The influence of a good quality of food in the Ems was confirmed by the development of a large population of Acartia bifilosa (as abundant as E. affinis) and highest values of adult individual weights.The meroplankton (essentially Polychaete and cirripede larvae) was much more developed in the Ems than in the Westerschelde and Gironde. This was likely due to the large extent of mudflats and hard substrates in the Ems favouring adult settlement and hence the number of larvae locally produced.

Distribution and retention of the copepodEurytemora affinis hirundoides in a turbid estuary

The spatial and temporal distribution of the copepodEurytemora affinis hirundoides (Nordquist, 1888) in the Gironde estuary, southwest France, was investigated in 1976, and between 1981 and 1983. The distribution pattern of the population bore a clear relationship to the patterns of water circulation and transport of particulate matter. Laboratory experiments suggested thatE. affinis hirundoides is incapable of autonomous displacement against the direction of general circulation and behaves as passive particles. A major problem faced by species living in estuaries is that of the maintenance of endemic populations. Some authors have suggested that behavioural responses may play an important role in minimising population losses. Our study indicated that hydrodynamic processes are sufficient to explain the distribution and retention ofE. affinis hirundoides, whose populations are retained in the estuary in the same manner as the suspended sediment. Since the outflow of particulate matter from the Gironde estuary to the sea is very sporadic, we hypothesize that most of the production ofE. affinis hirundoides remains within the estuary, and does not fertilize the continental shelf, at least not in the form of particulate organic matter.

Impact of suspended particulate matter on egg production of the estuarine copepod, Eurytemora affinis

Egg production rate and gut pigment content of Eurytemora affinis were measured in the Gironde, Westerschelde and Elbe estuaries. These represent various conditions with respect to suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration. Egg production rate varied as a function of temperature and was strongly affected by high SPM concentration. Specific gut pigment content (Gsp) and specific pigment ingestion also clearly decreased when SPM concentration increased, suggesting that SPM concentration could influence egg production rate through a vegetal prey uptake limitation and that E. affinis either gained an energetic advantage by vegetal prey ingestion or needed vegetal prey in order to obtain a minimum amount of specific component required for egg production.

Feeding rates and productivity of the copepod Acartia bifilosa in a highly turbid estuary; the Gironde (SW France)

Acartia spp. are the dominant copepod species in the Gironde estuary, seaward of the turbidity maximum area. Acartia bifilosa develop a large population in spring and early summer whereas Acartia tonsa appear in late summer. High values and high variability of chlorophyll a/suspended particulate matter ratio are found seaward of the turbidity maximum area. Feeding rates of A. bifilosa were measured by fluorometry. Phytoplankton ingestion was found to be highly variable, between 8 to 80% of copepod carbon body weight. Except for adult females, copepods were heavier in summer than in winter. PB ratios, estimated by the instantaneous growth rate method, varied from 0.03 d−1 to 0.14 d−1. The gut contents and P/B ratios of Acartia bifilosa were related to chl a/SPM ratio. From those data, and a few obtained for A. tonsa, it is concluded that only in summer months phytoplankton ingestion is enough to maintain secondary production.

Is the copepod egg production in a highly turbid estuary (the Gironde, France) a function of the biochemical composition of seston?

The influence of the biochemical composition of particles originating from surface waters of the Gironde estuary on egg production rates of Eurytemora affinis zooplanktonic population was studied. In the high turbidity zone, suspended particulate matter had a low nutritional quality because the easily available organic fraction represented less than 15% of the overall particulate organic matter. In waters located seaward of the high turbidity zone, a slight increase in nutritional quality was observed. As a result, the sum of easily extractable organic macromolecules represented 15 to 33% of the overall particulate organic matter. The present study suggests that the low egg-production rate of Eurytemora affinis, occurring in the high turbidity zone, results from combined effects of temperature and bad feeding conditions in the area. Low copepod production can be explained by little phytoplankton growth due to light limitation and, therefore, restricted food availability, as well as difficulties in food selection, non-living particle may being dominant.

Long-term changes in the population of Eurytemora affinis (Copepoda, Calanoida) in the Gironde estuary (1978–1992)

Long-term changes in the population of Eurytemora affinis were investigated during 15 years (1978–1992) at a fixed station in the Gironde estuary (South West France). Total numbers, sex-ratio, % ovigerous females, proportion of copepodites and clutch-size were taken into account and their long-term distribution was related to temperature, river flow, salinity, suspended matter and chlorophyll a concentrations after the seasonal effect was removed for all variables.There was a great decrease of the river flow during the period of investigation, due to a general deficit in pluviosity. On the contrary, the general trend for salinity was an increase from 1978 to 1992. The same pattern was observed for chlorophyll, indicating an intrusion of marine phytoplankton. Water temperature increased significantly during the study period, following the general increase in air temperature observed in the area. For the suspended particulate matter (SPM), an increase was observed between 1978 and 1981–1982, then a very sharp decrease occurred from 1984 onwards.Numbers of E. affinis were inversely correlated with temperature and salinity, and positively correlated with the river flow. E. affinis was negatively correlated with chlorophyll concentration because of the covariation with salinity. No clear long-term trend was observed for the sex-ratio. A significant correlation was found between females carrying egg-sacs and SPM concentration, probably due to a decrease of the predation pressure in very turbid waters. The percentages of copepodites tended to decrease with time and were inversely correlated with temperature. Clutch-size significantly decreased during the 15-year period. This trend was mainly explained by temperature and salinity.It is concluded that, in the absence of strong human alteration in the Gironde estuary the long-term distribution of zooplankton can be explained by the natural environmental variability. The dominant factors are the river flow which governs the movement of the populations along the estuary and the temperature which influences the reproductive processes. Any change in climate will have consequences on the pelagic community.

Spring zooplankton distribution and production of the copepod Euterpina acutifrons in Marennes-Oléron Bay (France)

Short term variations of zooplankton populations were studied during an algal spring bloom in two characteristic areas of the Marennes-Oléron Bay (France). The sampling sites were chosen in the north of the bay, one close to the neritic zone, the other close to the estuarine zone. Five distinct zooplanktonic communities were observed: two typical neritic and estuarine assemblages, two eurytopic groups (linked to neritic or estuarine water masses) and an autochtonous community, widely distributed in the north of the bay. The copepod Euterpina acutifrons dominated the zooplankton community during this period of the year in terms of abundance (up to 83% of the zooplankton community). Its production differed between water masses: the highest production occurred at the estuarine station (3.48 ± 0.65 mg C m−3 d−1), where nauplii accounted for a large part of these high values. Its P/B ratio was similar at the two stations (0.196 and 0.209 d−1).

Development and population dynamics of Amonardia normani Brady reared on axenic and non-axenic diatoms

Abstract Amonardia normani Brady nauplii, harpacticoid copepods, were fed axenic and non-axenic Nitzschia constricta cultures in order to study the dietary importance of heterotrophic bacteria associated with diatom cultures. The concentration of diatoms used during experiments (0.13 μg chlorophyll- a ml −1 ) resulted in maximum ingestion rates. Larval development was delayed but survival was higher in the axenic diatom diet. Female fecundity did not change significantly between diets. The exponential rate of population increase ( r ) estimated from life table analysis was greater in the non-axenic diatom diet. Although A. normani are able to grow on a diatom-only diet, heterotrophic bacteria were important for significantly increased rates of population growth.

Development time of harpacticoid copepods: some empirical models and implications

Some meiobenthic harpacticoid copepod species cannot be successfully cultured, therefore empirical models were developed to estimate their development times, using literature data, but taking into consideration several empirical rules previously formulated to model the development of planktonic copepods. The present models demonstrated the overwhelming influence of rearing temperature on egg development time, and of body length on total development time and indicate a capacity to adapt development rates to environmental temperature.