Hemimysis anomala proclaimed to be common in the shorelines of Lake Ontario
Ann Arbor, MI — A new biological invasion is always a topic of concern for ecologists. The history of invasions in the Great Lakes has shown that invasive species can produce important changes in the invaded ecosystem. Hemimysis have characteristics that make them a fine candidate for provoking change.
In 2009 three research teams (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Cornell University) studied 29 sites along the shorelines of Lake Ontario. The goals were to describe the spatial and seasonal distribution and associated density of Hemimysis throughout Lake Ontario, and to estimate Hemimysis production at one focal site in western Lake Ontario. Development of a standardised collection method (vertical plankton tows done at dark) facilitated this multi-agency comparative effort.
Hemimysis were found in 83% of the locations sampled with densities as high as 1,817.3 ·m-3. Production was higher than other common zooplankton species in the Great Lakes.
This work provides basic information that will help ecologists predict the possible impacts of Hemimysis on Great Lakes ecosystems.
Original Publication Information
Results of this study, "Distribution, abundance and production of Hemimysis anomala in Lake Ontario," are reported by Ana Carolina Taraborelli, Nina Jakobi, Timothy Johnson, Kelly Bowen and Brent Boscarino in the special issue on Mysids of the Great Lakes, of the Journal of Great Lakes Research, published by Elsevier, 2011.
Contacts
For more information about the study contact, Timothy Johnson, Glenora Fisheries Station, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 41 Hatchery Lane, Picton, Ontario, Canada K0K 2T0; tim.johnson@ontario.ca, (613) 476-7718, or Carolina Taraborelli, actaraborelli@gmail.com .
For information about the Journal of Great Lakes Research, contact Marlene Evans, Editor, National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada; jglr@ec.gc.ca; (306) 975-5310.
Since 1967, IAGLR has served as the focal point for compiling and disseminating multidisciplinary knowledge on North America's Laurentian Great Lakes and other large lakes of the world and their watersheds. In part, IAGLR communicates this knowledge through publication of the Journal of Great Lakes Research, available to members in print and electronic form. A searchable archive of the journal is available online and includes the abstracts of articles from the journal's inception in 1975 through the most recent issue. In addition, complete articles are available to members who have signed up for an electronic subscription.