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Distribution, abundance and production of Hemimysis anomala in Lake Ontario

November 1, 2012

Hemimysis anomala is one of the latest macroinvertebrates to invade the Laurentian Great Lakes. Since first reported in 2006, Hemimysis have been confirmed in several locations within the Great Lakes basin. However, little is known about the seasonal and spatial variation in demographics and dynamics of Hemimysis populations. We used a standardised pier-based methodology to describe the distribution of Hemimysis at 29 locations around the shoreline of Lake Ontario in 2009. Samples were collected in spring, summer, and fall at most locations, and bi-weekly at one site (Bronte Creek) over a 12-month period in 2009. For each site, we estimated abundance by sex and size. The more temporally intensive sampling at Bronte Creek enabled us to estimate production. Hemimysis were found at 83% of the sites visited, with densities generally highest in the northwest and lower at the other sites. Production estimates (2.67–14.09 mg dry weight·m− 2·d− 1) were higher than that of other common zooplankton species in the Great Lakes. We provide important life history parameters that will help ecologists better understand the potential impacts of Hemimysis on Great Lakes ecosystems.

Publication Year 2012
Title Distribution, abundance and production of Hemimysis anomala in Lake Ontario
DOI 10.1016/j.jglr.2011.08.010
Authors Ana Carolina Taraborelli, Nina Jakobi, Timothy B. Johnson, Kelly Bowen, Brent Boscarino
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Great Lakes Research
Index ID 70042486
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Great Lakes Science Center