This paper deals with the first observations made of the vertical distribution of the ephyra and metephyra stages of
Aurelia aurita in the field.
During the period from December 1971 to June 1972, simultaneous horizontal hauls of four plankton-nets (51cm in mouth diameter and 0.33mm in mesh size) at the sea surface, 3, 7, and 15 meters deep were made for 15 minutes at the three stations designated at the mouth of Urazoko Bay, Fukui Prefecture.
The results obtained are summarized as follows:
1) Although ephyrae and metephyrae were found as deep as 15 meters below the surface, they were mainly distributed in the upper layers above 3 meters deep at St. 1, at the middle or bottom layers below 7 meters deep at Sts. 2, 3 in February, at the middle layer in Sts. 1, 3, and at the bottom layer at St. 2 in April 1972, respectively. However, they were most abundantly captured from surface or middle layers during the other months (March, May and June in 1972).
2) A close correlation was confirmed between the vertical distribution of larvae and the underwater illumination as observed previously in the medusa.
3) With the metamorphosis proceeding from ephyra to metephyra, their vertical ranges differed slightly, probably owing to development of swimming organs.
4) The slightly different distribution patterns of larvae observed in a few in-stances at each station even at the same time and in the same month may be attributed to the distinct diel vertical migration of the larvae as in the case of the medusae.
抄録全体を表示