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Influence of the Leeuwin Current on the epipelagic euphausiid assemblages of the south-east Indian Ocean

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Abstract

The Leeuwin Current is an anomalous eastern boundary current which transports warm, low salinity water poleward off Western Australia. This study investigated epipelagic euphausiids in the Leeuwin Current system from 22°S to 34°S focusing on the latitudinal gradient in species richness and whether variability in euphausiid assemblages was associated with an increase in seawater density across latitude. Twenty-eight species of euphausiids (including five new records) were identified from the study area. Species richness remained relatively constant across latitude as the distribution of seven tropical species, including the dominant Pseudeuphausia latifrons, extended south of 30°S. Euphausiid assemblages from the northern shelf stations were distinct from the oceanic, shelf break and southern shelf assemblages which, though clustering together, showed evidence of latitudinal shifts and day/night influence, particularly at oceanic stations. Distance-based linear models confirmed that, of the environmental variables examined, mean seawater density was the only significant explanatory variable accounting for 32, 27 and 71% of the variation for shelf, shelf break and night oceanic assemblages, respectively. This study provides the first account of the diversity, distribution and abundance of euphausiids along the entire western seaboard of Australia and enhances understanding of the influence of the Leeuwin Current on holoplanktonic biota.

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Acknowledgments

This research was made possible with support from the Marine National Facility (MNF), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Wealth from Oceans Flagship and the Western Australia Marine Science Institution (WAMSI). A.S. was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award through Murdoch University. We thank the officers, crew and scientific complement of the RV Southern Surveyor SS04/07 voyage. Dr Peter Thompson, Dr David Griffin and Dr David Holliday are thanked for making available voyage data. Prof Mark Gibbons is thanked for assistance with species identification and Dr James Tweedley for statistical advice. Dr Pilar Olivar kindly provided useful comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript.

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  1. Environmental & Conservation Sciences, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

    Alicia L. Sutton & Lynnath E. Beckley

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Correspondence to Alicia L. Sutton.

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Sutton, A.L., Beckley, L.E. Influence of the Leeuwin Current on the epipelagic euphausiid assemblages of the south-east Indian Ocean. Hydrobiologia 779, 193–207 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-2814-7

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