Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
EU Network of Excellence

 
Main Menu

· Home
· Contacts
· Data Systems
· Documents
· FAQ
· Links
· MarBEF Open Archive
· Network Description
· Outreach
· Photo Gallery
· Quality Assurance
· Register of Resources
· Research Projects
· Rules and Guidelines
· Training
· Wiki
· Worldconference

 

Register of Resources (RoR)

 People  |  Datasets  |  Literature  |  Institutes  |  Projects 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Trophic ecology of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the southern North Sea: a biomarker approach
Vansteenbrugge, L.; Hostens, K.; Vanhove, B.; De Backer, A.; De Clippele, L.; De Troch, M. (2016). Trophic ecology of Mnemiopsis leidyi in the southern North Sea: a biomarker approach. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 163(2): [1-25]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-015-2800-z
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords

Authors  Top 
  • Vansteenbrugge, L.
  • Hostens, K.
  • Vanhove, B.
  • De Backer, A., more
  • De Clippele, L.
  • De Troch, M., more

Abstract
    The non-indigenous ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz 1865 was first observed in the southern North Sea in 2006 and has since then frequently been encountered. Knowledge on the diet, trophic position and interactions with other components of the pelagic food web will largely contribute to assess the impact of this species on the ecosystem. Using both stable isotope (SI) and fatty acid (FA) analysis, this study revealed spatial and temporal variation in the trophic ecology of M. leidyi in different ecosystems in the southern North Sea. Based on the isotopic composition, spatial differences were largely driven by variation at the base of the food web rather than diet changes of M. leidyi in the different ecosystems. Temporal variation in M. leidyi SI composition was also influenced by shifting baseline values and driven by seasonal changes in the associated plankton communities. This study provides first data on the FA composition of M. leidyi as compared to FA concentrations of two indigenous ctenophores. Total FA concentration in M. leidyi was three to four times lower compared to Pleurobrachia pileus and Beroe sp., categorising it as a lipid-poor organism. Trophic interactions between M. leidyi and two co-occurring ctenophores (P. pileus and Beroe sp.) showed considerable resource differentiation, which could be the result of competition or different diets. A mixture of zooplankton was identified as potential food sources for M. leidyi. FA markers supported the carnivorous diet of Beroe sp., but its SI composition did not confirm the predatory relation with M. leidyi.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors 


If any information here appears to be incorrect, please contact us
Back to Register of Resources
 
Quick links

MarBEF WIKI

Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (EMBC)
Outreach

Science
Responsive Mode Programme (RMP) - Marie Nordstrom, copyright Aspden Rebecca

WoRMS
part of WoRMS logo

ERMS 2.0
Epinephelus marginatus Picture: JG Harmelin

EurOBIS

Geographic System

Datasets

 


Web site hosted and maintained by Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) - Contact data-at-marbef.org