Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2022, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (3): 172-185.doi: 10.11978/2021151CSTR: 32234.14.2021151

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Comparative study on zooplankton community structure in Pearl River Estuary based on morphological and DNA identification

YIN Tianqi1(), WANG Qing1(), YANG Yufeng1,2, CEN Jingyi1   

  1. 1. College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
    2. Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, China
  • Received:2021-11-05 Revised:2021-12-15 Published:2021-12-23
  • Contact: WANG Qing E-mail:yintianqi11235@163.com;wq2010@jnu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    General project of Guangdong Natural Science Foundation(2022A1515011387);General project of Guangdong Natural Science Foundation(2021A1515010814)

Abstract:

Zooplankton samples in the Pearl River Estuary were collected in December 2019 using four different types of plankton nets. We analyzed the characteristics of zooplankton community structure and compared the effects of different investigation methods on the study of zooplankton community structure based on morphological identification and DNA monitoring. Thirty-six species of zooplankton including six species of planktonic larvae were identified by morphological identification. The average abundance of zooplankton collected by the I type of plankton net for the shallow water was 115±96 ind·m-3, and the average biomass was 0.21±0.14g·m-3. The average abundance of zooplankton collected by the Ⅱ type of plankton net for the shallow water was 3536±2444ind·m-3, and the average biomass was 0.56±0.33 g·m-3. The average abundance of zooplankton collected by the Ⅲ type of plankton net for the shallow water was 4314±4172 ind.·m-3, and the average biomass was 0.50±0.25 g·m-3. The average abundance of zooplankton collected by 25# plankton net was 6741±3826 ind·m-3, and the average biomass was 4.33±3.42 mg·m-3. Results show that the mesh size of plankton net has an important impact on the results of zooplankton. Water DNA samples were collected from three sites annotated 15 species of zooplankton; DNA samples were collected by the Ⅱ type of plankton net from three sites annotated 19 species of zooplankton; and 17 species of zooplankton were identified by morphology at the three sites. Results show that water DNA samples can detect micro-zooplankton, such as protozoa. DNA samples collected by the plankton net can filter much water, which is conducive to collecting more macro- and meso-sized zooplankton, and can fully reflect the species and abundance of dominant groups such as copepods. Water DNA samples can be used to detect species that are difficult to be identified, such as planktonic larvae and protozoa. Zooplankton collected with different types of plankton nets can comprehensively reflect the characteristics of zooplankton community structure in the study area. The combination of various investigation methods is helpful to comprehensively understand the ecological environment in the study area.

Key words: Pearl River Estuary, zooplankton, particle size, DNA identification

CLC Number: 

  • Q958.8