![]() |
The amphipod Themisto compressa seen under the microscope. |
![]() |
Faecel pellets produced by Themisto sp. Image credit© Staphanie Wilson |
![]() |
The pelagic harpacticoid copepod Microsotella sp. seen under the microscope. |
Another one of our tasks was to measure rates of faecal pellet production by some of the dominant mesozooplankton in the region. We are specifically looking at the larger species that will be producing faecal pellets which may be transported out of the surface waters. This can be done by either passive sinking of large pellets or a more active transport during a zooplankton’s daily migration from the surface at night (where they feed) to the deeper and darker twilight zone at dawn (where they stay until dusk to avoid visual predators). On their way, they produce faecal pellets.
The amphipod Themisto caught in a "poop trap" jar. Image credit© Staphanie Wilson |
By looking at the community structure as well as the faecal pellet production rate we can calculate potential carbon fluxes for some of the zooplankton species. Then we can compare these rates to what we find in the sediment traps and see which species are contributing the most to carbon transport through the twilight zone. This part of our project will be highly collaborative as we all share our data to create an interesting story about poop and marine snow in the twilight zone.
By Stephanie Wilson