Seasonal variability of the gelatinous carnivore zooplankton community in Northern Taiwan

Abstract

We investigated the gelatinous carnivore zooplankton community in the coastal waters of northeast Taiwan during the period 2007–2010. The community assemblage was composed of 45 species, of which only 14 appeared recurrent in Taiwanese waters. Although there was no clear seasonality, higher richness and abundances occurred in spring and autumn. Examination of potential physical drivers of coastal biomass accumulation did not show any link with water mass transport; instead, peak events were associated with typhoon disturbances, suggesting a potential resource pulse effect.