Mesozooplankton communities in deep-water areas of the Black Sea: are their composition and biomass regulated by the Ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz, 1865?
Journal: Известия Российской академии наук Серия биологическая
Year: 2024

The abundance, biomass, distribution and feeding patterns of the ctenophoreMnemiopsisleidyiA. Agassiz 1865 were studied in the deep-water Black Sea in October 2019. The biomass of the ctenophore in the open areas of the sea was 100–200 g m–2, the abundance was 16–38 ind. m–2. With the dominance of large individuals (≥30 mm) in the population, the activity of their reproduction remained extremely weak. The specific daily ration varied from ~4% to 13% of body carbon in adults and juveniles, respec