Tomohiko Kikuchi

High Ash Content in Net-Plankton Samples from Shallow Coastal Water: Possible Source of Error in Dry Weight Measurement of Zooplankton Biomass

Annual examination of net-plankton biomass in dry weight, ash-free dry weight, organic carbon, and nitrogen weight at the Manazuru harbor, central Japan revealed that net-plankton samples from shallow coastal water contained considerable amount of ash (53±13% of dry weight) which would be caused by contamination of inorganic materials from re-suspendion of sediments, terrestrial runoff and chain-forming diatoms. Therefore, in coastal water, dry weight is inadequate fro determination of zooplankton biomass in volving the possibility of over-estimation. Practical estimation of net-plankton biomass in shallow coastal waters, ash-free dry weight, organic carbon, and/or nitrogen are more adequate.

Variability in the Relative Penetration of Ultraviolet Radiation to Photosynthetically Available Radiation in Temperate Coastal Waters, Japan

UVR and PAR wavelengths are attenuated to different extents within the water column, causing variations in spectral composition with depth. The present investigation (a) describes the variability of UVR and PAR penetration at a station in the temperate coastal waters of Sagami Bay and determines (b) the characteristics of relative UVR penetration to the euphotic zone. Examination of the seasonal irradiance profile measurements indicated eight measurements displaying two distinct attenuation coefficients (Kd) for specific UVR wavelengths and PAR. The two attenuation coefficients observed from specific wavelengths in the water column may be caused not only by chlorophyll pigments, but also by dissolved organic material in the upper layer. The 1% depth of surface UVR at 305, 320, 340, and 380 nm averaged 10.8 ± 5.7, 14.9 ± 9.5, 19.8 ± 12.1, and 30.4 ± 17.6 m, respectively. The depth of euphotic layer displayed less variability averaging 62 ± 15 m throughout the entire study. Relative UVR penetration within the euphotic zone averaged 17.8 ± 8.1, 22.9 ± 10, 30.5 ± 13.8, and 46 ± 46.9% for 305, 320, 340, and 380 nm, respectively. A large variation of the relative transmission of UVR within the euphotic zone was found although the spectral composition was relatively stable in the air throughout the study.

Two Caridean Shrimps of the Families Bresiliidae and Hippolytidae from a Hydrothermal Field on the Iheya Ridge, Off the Ryukyu Islands, Japan

ABSTRACT Twenty-six specimens representing 2 genera, Alvinocaris of the family Bresiliidae and Lebbeus of the Hippolytidae, were found in samples collected from hydrothermal fields in the Okinawa Trough, Japan. Twenty-one specimens are described as Alvinocaris longirostris, new species, and the remaining 5 are redescribed as a very rare bathyal shrimp, Lebbeus washingtonianus (Rathbun, 1902).

Variability of Bio-optical Factors Influencing the Seasonal Attenuation of Ultraviolet Radiation in Temperate Coastal Waters of Japan¶

Abstract The study identifies the relative contribution of various bio-optical factors to the total attenuation of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) wavelengths and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in temperate coastal waters of Japan by surveying the physical properties of the water column, UVR and PAR penetration, and the absorption characteristics of dissolved and particulate material. Spectral absorbance properties of pigment (aph), detritus (ad) and chromophoric dissolved organic material (aCDOM) displayed both seasonal and wavelength specific variability. On an annual basis, absorbance by aCDOM was the highest absorbing fraction (47–59%) for the UVR wavelengths measured (305, 320, 340 and 380 nm) but decreased (32%) at 450 nm. Contribution of pigments to total absorbance was highest (40–60%) during a spring bloom for both UVR and PAR. A large variability (C.V. > 42%) for annual average attenuation coefficients (Kd[λ]) at respective wavelengths observed suggests that the spectral composition of the water column changes throughout the year in this region. A significant relationship was observed between Kd(λ) and aCDOM at 305, 320, 340 and 380 nm only (P < 0.01) but not for 450 nm (PAR) indicating the role of CDOM in regulating variations in Kd(λ), particularly in the UVR range. The slope S, obtained from a natural-log plot of the absorption coefficient of CDOM against wavelength, ranged between 0.014 and 0.036 nm−1 annually (average = 0.020±0.007, C.V. = 35%) and suggests seasonal changes in the origin of CDOM between terrestrial (low S) and biogenous (high S) CDOM.

Response of natural phytoplankton assemblages to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) in the coastal water, Japan

Variability in the effect of solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) on primary productivity of natural phytoplankton assemblages was examined in coastal water off Manazuru Harbor, Sagami Bay, central Japan for two full years during the period from September 1996 to September 1998. Solar UV-B, UV-A, and PAR were determined in air and water. Surface water was exposed to UV-B+UV-A+PAR and UV-A+PAR with Mylar film and primary productivity under those two light regimes was determined with 13C method. Size distribution of chlorophyll a concentration was also examined. When the occurrence of >10 μm size fraction was lower than 80% in a warm season, the UV-B effect was significant. Whenever red tide species occurred, they did not respond to UV-B radiation. Although winter population was also dominated by >10 μm size fraction, a ratio of UV-B to UV-A+PAR was already so low that the UV-B effect was insignificant. The occurrence of >10 μm size fraction, which might be enhanced by a supply of nitrate and consequently could be related to high supply of dissolved organic matter, seemed to play a significant role in controlling the effect of UV-B on primary productivity in the coastal water. Reduction rate of primary productivity ranged from <10% from November to April to 41% at maximum from May to October with annual reduction rate of 10% in the present study.

Direct observations of a dense occurrence of Bolinopsis infundibulum (Ctenophora) near the seafloor under the Oyashio and notes on their feeding behavior

A dense occurrence of the ctenophore Bolinopsis infundibulum was observed at depths of approx. 1250 m from the manned submersible SHINKAI 2000 from 1998 to 2000 near the seafloor off Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. Body length ranged from 6.5 to 16.5 cm for seven specimens sampled from the submersible. Horizontal transects by the submersible showed that B. infundibulum were scarce shallower than 1000 m, but were abundant within 30 m of the bottom, ca. 0.8 ctenophore m � 3 , then decreasing gradually to 80 m above the seafloor. The ctenophores forage with extended oral lobes and hanging quiescently in the water column. Ninety ctenophores among 112 observed at 1200–1270-m depth were in the foraging posture. One individual captured at depth had a female C5 stage of Neocalanus cristatus and fragments of calanoids (? Aetideidae) in its gut. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratio data indicated that the B. infundibulum relied on surface photosynthetic products for food and their position in the trophic pyramid is relatively low. B. infundibulum feeds mainly on copepods, at least some part of which consist of carbon-rich copepods such as Neocalanus spp. and Eucalanus bungii, which grow in surface layers but sink to depth when diapausing as C5 or adult stages. Carbon-based estimations showed that one Neocalanus cristatus C5 or 4–6 N. plumchrus+flemingeri C5+female are sufficient for daily maintenance of a medium-sized (B10 cm) B. infundibulum. Considering the abundance of B. infundibulum, we conclude that this deep ctenophore population may contribute substantially to the mortality of these epipelagic copepods during diapause. r 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Population Development of the DinoflagellatesCeratium furca andCeratium fusus during Spring and Early Summer in Iwa Harbor, Sagami Bay, Japan

To examine the population development of the dinoflagellates, Ceratium furca and Ceratium fusus, daily field monitoring was conducted between April and July 2003 in the temperate coastal water of Sagami Bay, Japan. During the study period, the concentrations of C. furca were always lower than those of C. fusus. A sharp increase in the densities of both species was recorded on 5 May showing the maximum cell concentrations (C. furca = 14,800 cells L-1, C. fusus = 49,600 cells L-1). In the 7 days prior to the May bloom of the Ceratium species (29 April to 1 May), the highest density of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans was observed. Additionally, a second bloom of C. fusus occurred on 22 July. Here, two causes of the significant increases in the Ceratium populations during the two blooming periods (first time; 1 to 8 May, second time; 15 to 22 July) are presented. First, an increase in the nutrients of the surface layer regenerated by the breakdown of blooms by N.scintillans could be considered as a major cause of the population increase of the two Ceratium species. Second, a decrease in salinity (to 27 psu) was correlated with the later bloom ofC. fusus. These results suggest that the population development of the two Ceratium species requires nutrients regenerated after the reduction of the diatom population byN. scintillans and, forC. fusus, continuous low salinity conditions, compared to other environmental factors during the rainy season. Key words: Ceratium furca; Ceratium fusus; Noctiluca scintillans; Bloom process; Environmental factor

Congruence between euphausiid community and water region in the northwestern Pacific: particularly in the Oyashio–Kuroshio Mixed Water Region

The relationship between euphausiid community structure and water region was studied during a 2-year seasonal survey in the northwestern (NW) Pacific Ocean. The euphausiid community structure and its associated species were analyzed from 38 micronekton samples collected during eight cruises. The euphausiid community structure and its distribution patterns clearly corresponded to physical oceanographic features in the Oyashio region, Oyashio–Kuroshio Mixed Water Region (OKMWR), and Kuroshio region. In contrast, community structure was unrelated to seasonality. The 19 species out of 40 identified in this area were grouped and named after their habitats. The six cold-water species were grouped into three regional types: two coastal Oyashio species, three Oyashio–OKMWR species, and one Oyashio–Kuroshio species. The four species dominating in the OKMWR were categorized into each specific types: Nematoscelis difficilis as OKMWR–Oyashio species, Euphausia gibboides as OKMWR species, Euphausia similis as OKMWR–Oyashio & OKMWR–Kuroshio species, and Euphausia recurva as OKMWR–Kuroshio species. The seven warm-water species were categorized as Kuroshio–OKMWR species or Kuroshio species. The other two species were categorized as cosmopolitan species. In particular, regarding the result in the OKMWR, our study suggest that (1) the OKMWR has high species diversity, and (2) the dominant species, such as Euphausia pacifica, N. difficilis, E. similis, and E. gibboides, are considered to be key species in the food webs in this region.

Ryocalanus spinifrons, a new species of Ryocalanidae (Copepoda: Calanoida), from the southwestern part of Sagami Bay, Japan

A new Ryocalanoid copepod, Ryocalanus spinifrons, collected by the MTD net system at a depth of 1400 m from the southwestern part of Sagami Bay, Japan, is described. The new species is morphologically very close to R. infelix Tanaka, 1956 (female unknown) from the Izu region of Sagami Bay. It is distinguished from other species by the presence of 12 long spinules on the ventral inner side of the fifth pedigerous somite, nine setae on the coxal epipodite of the maxillule and nine large robust spinules on the coxal segment of the fourth leg. The row of five robust spines on the paragnath distinguishes R. spinifrons.

The Influence of Nutrients Concentration and the Ratio on Phytoplankton Community Structure during Late Spring and Early Summer in Sagami Bay, Japan

The relationship between nutrients and phytoplankton dynamics was investigated daily from 12 April to 22 July 2003 in Sagami Bay, Japan. According to multidimensional scaling (MDS) and cluster analysis, phytoplankton community was divided into four distinct groups. The first group was consisted of centric diatom species, such as Guinardia spp., Detonula spp., Letocylindrus danicus, Skeletonema costatum, Eucampia zodiacus and Chaetoceros spp.. The second and third clusters comprised mainly diatoms and dinoflagellates, respectively. The other cluster was restricted to the samples collected during the last sampling period when the rainfall and river discharge was frequently recorded. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was applied to analyze four groups respectively, which focused on the effects of nutrients concentration and ratio on phytoplankton variations. Based on CCA analysis, most species of centric diatom were negatively correlated with DSi concentrations and Si/N ratio. Nutrients were strongly limited phytoplankton growth during the summer when the rainfall was not observed, whereas river discharge by rainfall and counterclockwise coastal currents (although the surface circulation pattern is often altered by Kuroshio Current, the counterclockwise coastal currents are generally dominant) has brought phytoplankton population accumulation and triggered the micoalgae growth in western part of the bay. Phosphorous (P) was strongly limited after significantly increases in the phytoplankton abundances. However, silicate (Si) was not a major limiting factor for phytoplankton production, since Si/DIN and Si/P ratio did not create any potential stoichiometric limitation. This indicates that high Si availability contributes favorably to the maintenance of diatom ecosystems in Sagami Bay.