Interannual Variations in the Summer Distribution of the Invasive Ctenophore Mnemiopsis Leidyi in the Black Sea

The present study is devoted to the summer distribution of the invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi after the adjustment of its predator Beroe ovata (phylum Ctenophore) to the Black Sea. Data from areas with different trophic and hydrophysical conditions were used to reveal M. leidyi distributional shift along the gradients and to distinguish plankton community trends in between the regions and years (1998-2004). M. leidyi is distributed more frequently and plentifully in the regions with a high trophic status. A bigger amount of the ctenophore was recorded in the North-Western and Western Black Sea compared to the North-Eastern part. The long-term dynamic of the species revealed a huge variability after the performance of tropho -dynamic relationship M. leidyi B. ovata, contributing to the recovery of the Black Sea plankton fauna.

KAMBURSKA Lyudmila;  SHIGANOVA Tamara;  STEFANOVA Kremena;  MONCHEVA Snejana;  DOWELL Mark; 

2005-12-21

JRC-EC

JRC30777

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC30777,