Cruises of m/v "Baldo Kosić" in the coastal and island region of the middle Adriatic: Appendicularians
Abstract
Appendicularians of the coastal and island region of the middle Adriatic were analyzed. Thirteen species were recorded during all four seasons. Oikopleura dioica, Oikopleura fusiformis and Oikopleura longicauda were the most abundant and simultaneously the most frequent. These three species account for almost 90% of the total number of all appendicularians.
Oikopleuridae were dominant in all seasons, while Fritillaridae were present more significally only in the wintertime. The neritic species Oikopleura dioica clearly dominated quantitatively in this region in the springtime. During the other seasons Oikopleura fusiformis and Oikopleura longicauda were the most numerous.
The greatest number of species of Appendicularians /m2 was recorded in the summertime. Lower abundance in wintertime and smallest number in springtime correspond to the period of apwing and the appearance of the pelagic fish larvae especialy sardines.
