In the frame of the INTERREG III CISM project, sediment cores were collected at 2 stations in the Gulf of Vlor¨e to study the plankton resting stage assemblages.Atotal of 87morphotypeswere identified and produced by Dinophyta, Ciliophora, Rotifera, and Crustacea. In 22 cases, the cyst belonged to a species absent fromthe plankton of the same period.Themost abundant resting stages were those produced by Scrippsiella species (Dinophyta). Some calcareous cysts were identified as fossil species associated with Pleistocene to Pliocene sediment, although they were also found in surface sediments and some of them successfully germinated, thus proving their modern status. Total abundance generally decreased with sediment depth at station 40, while station 45 showed distinct maxima at 3 and 8 cm below the sediment surface.The depth of peak abundance in the sediment varied with species.This paper presents the first study of the plankton resting stages in the Bay of Vlor¨e. The study confirmed the utility of this type of investigation for a more correct evaluation of species diversity. In addition, the varying distribution with sediment depth suggests that this field could be of some importance in determining the history of species assemblages.
PLANKTON RESTING STAGES IN THE MARINE SEDIMENTS OF THE BAY OF VLORE (ALBANIA)
RUBINO, FRANCESCO;MOSCATELLO, Salvatore;BELMONTE, Genuario
2013-01-01
Abstract
In the frame of the INTERREG III CISM project, sediment cores were collected at 2 stations in the Gulf of Vlor¨e to study the plankton resting stage assemblages.Atotal of 87morphotypeswere identified and produced by Dinophyta, Ciliophora, Rotifera, and Crustacea. In 22 cases, the cyst belonged to a species absent fromthe plankton of the same period.Themost abundant resting stages were those produced by Scrippsiella species (Dinophyta). Some calcareous cysts were identified as fossil species associated with Pleistocene to Pliocene sediment, although they were also found in surface sediments and some of them successfully germinated, thus proving their modern status. Total abundance generally decreased with sediment depth at station 40, while station 45 showed distinct maxima at 3 and 8 cm below the sediment surface.The depth of peak abundance in the sediment varied with species.This paper presents the first study of the plankton resting stages in the Bay of Vlor¨e. The study confirmed the utility of this type of investigation for a more correct evaluation of species diversity. In addition, the varying distribution with sediment depth suggests that this field could be of some importance in determining the history of species assemblages.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
