Seasonal changes in the standing stocks, growth rates, and production rates of gelatinous predators in Saanich Inlet, British Columbia

Abstract

Thirty-three species of gelatinous predators were collected in the uppermost 25m of Saanich Inlet over 3 spring seasons. Of these, 6 species of hydromedusae and 1 ctenophore comprised 90 pct of the total gelatinous zoops. Pleurobranchia bachei comprised 40 pct of biomass, with peak standing stocks reaching 100 mg DW /m 3, or 5 mg C /m 3. Total gelatioous zoops at one station reached 400 mg DW or 30 mg C/m 3. net production in the upper 25m is 6-10mg C per m 3. Standing stocks had doublign times of 5-17days.