Relationship of Abundance of Oceanic Sea Skaters, <i>Halobates</i> in the Tropical Pacific Ocean to Surface Biomass and Chlorophyll/Oxygen Concentrations

Abstract

Relationship of population density of oceanic sea skaters collected from tropical and subtropical zones in the Pacific Ocean was examined to chlorophyll concentration/Dissolved Oxygen concentration and biomass in surface sea water. The four parameters shown above were measured at the site of 12 o N 135 o N during the cruise, MR13-03 cruise, and at the site of 25 o N 160 o E during another cruise KH-14-02. Significant and positive correlation between all biomass (especially invertebrates) and population density of oceanic sea skaters collected with a Neuston-Net trailing during 15 min was shown in overall analysis on the data of the both samplings ( p < 0.001). Moreover, dissolved oxygen was much lower at 25 o N 160 o E than that at 12 o N 135 o N with similar value of chlorophyll value ( p < 0.001). These results would suggest that more food resource would be available at 25 o N 160 o E than that at 12 o N 135 o N for keeping high density population of oceanic sea skaters.