Energy and biochemical composition of zooplankton during autumn and spring in southern and central Yellow Sea

Abstract:

Based on the sampling of zooplankton in autumn 2006 and spring 2007 in southern and central Yellow Sea, seasonal and spatial variations of size, fat, C∶N ratio and energy content of the zooplanktons were analyzed. There were no significant difference in energy content, fat content and C∶N ratio among the zooplankton of different size groups. Fat content (P<0.05) and energy content (P<0.01) of the zooplankton showed significant seasonal difference in central Yellow Sea, and the values in spring were higher than those in autumn. There was no spatial difference in fat content, but the spatial difference in energy content and C∶N ratio was significant. There were significant linear relationships between fat content (in spring P<0.01) and C∶N ratio (P<0.01 in autumn and spring), energy content and C∶N ratio (P<0.01 in autumn and spring), and water content and energy (P<001 in autumn and spring), respectively.