An observation of two oceanic salp swarms in the Tasman Sea: Thetys vagina and Cyclosalpa affinis

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Abstract

Background: Large oceanic salps are rarely encountered. The highest recorded biomasses of the salps Thetys vagina (852 g WW m-3) and Cyclosalpa affinis (1149 g WW m-3) were observed in the Tasman Sea during January 2009. Results: Due to their fast sinking rates the carcasses and faecal pellets of these and other large salps play a significant role in carbon transport to the seafloor. We calculated that faecal pellets from these swarms could have contributed up to 67 % of the mean organic daily carbon flux in the area. This suggests that the flux of carbon from salp swarms are not accurately captured in current estimates. Conclusion: This study contributes information on salp abundance and biomass to a relatively understudied field, improving estimates for biogeochemical cycles.

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Henschke, N., Everett, J. D., & Suthers, I. M. (2016). An observation of two oceanic salp swarms in the Tasman Sea: Thetys vagina and Cyclosalpa affinis. Marine Biodiversity Records, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41200-016-0023-8

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