Abstract This study aimed to obtain the first estimates of S. thompsoni population dynamics and growth rates over the Kerguelen Plateau (Southern Indian Ocean). Micronekton, including salps, were repeatedly sampled during late summer to early autumn (26th February – 15th March 2018) at contrasting hydrological stations on the Kerguelen Plateau in the southern proximity of Kerguelen Islands. At two stations, S. thompsoni made up almost half of the micronekton biomass. Environmental conditions were important in determining the density and development of S. thompsoni populations. Growth rates (0.5–7.0% d−1) were higher than previously reported from the Antarctic Peninsula (0.3–4.6% d−1) but lower than near the Antarctic Polar Front (APF; 3.7–20.7% d−1). Despite warm surface waters (4–5 °C), low chlorophyll a concentrations restricted the salp populations from growing as fast as populations near the APF. Because the Kerguelen Plateau region deflects a branch of warm water southward towards Antarctica, more studies of S. thompsoni population dynamics across multiple seasons are needed to fully understand their importance over the Kerguelen Plateau and their invasion potential into higher latitudes.

中文翻译：

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凯尔盖朗高原 Salpa thompsoni 的人口统计和增长率

摘要 本研究旨在获得对凯尔盖朗高原（南印度洋）的 S. thompsoni 种群动态和增长率的初步估计。在夏末至初秋（2018 年 2 月 26 日至 3 月 15 日）期间，在凯尔盖朗群岛南部附近的凯尔盖朗高原上对比鲜明的水文站对 Micronekton 进行了反复采样。在两个站点，S. thompsoni 几乎占 micronekton 生物量的一半。环境条件对于确定 S. thompsoni 种群的密度和发展很重要。增长率 (0.5-7.0% d-1) 高于先前在南极半岛报告的 (0.3-4.6% d-1)，但低于南极极地锋附近 (APF; 3.7-20.7% d-1)。尽管地表水温暖 (4–5 °C)，低叶绿素 a 浓度限制了 salp 种群的增长速度与 APF 附近的种群一样快。由于凯尔盖朗高原地区将一股暖水向南偏向南极洲，因此需要对跨多​​个季节的 S. thompsoni 种群动态进行更多研究，以充分了解它们对凯尔盖朗高原的重要性及其向高纬度地区的入侵潜力。