Spatial and nycthemeral distribution of the zooneuston off Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Island environments, such as Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas in Brazil, significantly alter ocean hydrodynamics, leading to increased vertical turbulence and nutrient upwelling. This phenomenon boosts plankton biomass, particularly zooneuston communities. A study revealed that both density and biomass of zooneuston were significantly higher at night and in the upper neuston layer (epineuston) compared to the lower layer (hyponeuston). The research, conducted using a David-Hempel neuston net with a 500 µm mesh size, recorded 21 taxa, including Copepoda, Chaetognatha, Teleostei eggs, and Hydrozoa. Notably, this study documented phoronid larvae for the first time in the Tropical Atlantic waters. The findings suggest that zooneuston aggregation at the surface and vertical migration from deep waters at night contribute to these patterns.

Lira, S. M. d. A., Teixeira, I. d. Á., Lima, C. D. M. d., Santos, G. d. S., Leitão, S. N., & Schwamborn, R. (2014). Spatial and nycthemeral distribution of the zooneuston off Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 62(1), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-87592014058206201