208, P < 0.001). A total of 72 taxa of zooplankton MK-8776 price (including 14 groups of planktonic larvae) were identified during the survey period (Table 3). Copepods represented the most diverse group with 35 species, accounting for 48.61% of the total

species richness. Planktonic larvae formed an important group, including mainly macruran, brachyuran and polychaete larvae, which represented more than 20% of all taxa. The richness of other groups was generally < 5 species (Table 3). For example, two species of cladocerans (Penilia avirostris and Pseudevadne tergestina) were observed. The species number varied among stations, with the maximum at S5 (55 species) and the minimum at S6 (24). There were ca 35 species at S1, S2, S3 and S4 during the sampling period. The abundance of zooplankton fluctuated irregularly, being low in the beginning and middle of the sampling period, and with two peaks on 14 and 23 May (Figure 3a). The temporal variation of cladoceran abundance determined the total zooplankton abundance (Figure 3b). Cladocerans constituted selleck compound from 41% (28 April) to 90% (14 May) of the total zooplankton abundance, with an average

of 74%. Although copepods had the highest species diversity, their abundance was lower than those of cladocerans and planktonic larvae. The proportion of planktonic larvae generally decreased from the beginning to the end of the survey, whereas copepods increased (Figure 3b). The abundance of zooplankton varied among sampling stations, with the highest at S2 (3772.96 ± 2019.97 indiv. m− 3) and the lowest at S6 (854.83 ± 743.88 indiv. m− 3). There is a significant difference among S2, S5 and S6, the zooplankton abundance at S2 being higher than at S5 and S6 (F = 9.666, P < 0.01). Table 4 showed that the variation of cladoceran abundance was consistent with total abundance and was dominant at each sampling station. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the total zooplankton abundance was positively correlated with temperature

(r = 0.399, P < 0.01), but was not correlated significantly with salinity or Chl a concentration in Dapeng Cove during the survey period. Phospholipase D1 The dominant species consisted mainly of Penilia avirostris, Acartia erythraea, Sagitta enflata, brachyuran larvae and macruran larvae. Pseudevadne tergestina, Oikopleura dioica, cirripedia larvae and fish eggs dominated sporadically during the survey. P. avirostris was the predominant species during the survey period and determined the variation of total zooplankton abundance. It occurred at each station with high abundance during each survey period ( Figure 4). The peak period of P. avirostris abundance was not consistent among stations. For example, on 1 June there were 7266 indiv. m− 3 at S2, but only 38 indiv. m− 3 at S6. The abundance of P. avirostris was significantly higher at S2 than at S5 and S6 (F = 11.897, P < 0.001). The abundance of A. erythraea was < 100 indiv. m− 3 before 17 May and then increased to about 300 indiv.