Temporal Characteristics of Community Structure of Zooplankton in Luanjiaoyang Seas, China

ABSTRACT Cai, L.; Wang, Y.; Li, X.; Shi, H.; Jiao, H.; Sun, Y., and Wang, Y., 2015. Temporal characteristics of community structure of zooplankton in Luanjiaoyang Seas, China. The Luanjiaoyang Seas are an important part of the East China Sea with rich fishery resources and a good ecological environment. In this study, spatial and temporal characteristics of the community structures of Zooplankton in the Luanjiaoyang Seas, Ningbo were described, including diversity index and environmental factors by using quantitative and qualitative methods. Sampling was carried out in December 2011 and in April, July, and October 2012. The results showed that of 104 species, Copepods, Protozoa and Planktonic larvaeas accounted for 53, 18 and 14 species respectively. The species number was at a maximum in summer and at a minimum in spring and this abundance applied to sites near the coast, the farther coast sites and the farthest coast sites. The results showed that the pattern of the community was significantly different, and the differences in the community were beyond 75%. The Margalef richness index (d) ranged from 0.32 to 1.17 (average 0.83); the Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H') range from 1.92 to 3.74 (average 2.74); the Pielou evenness index (J) ranged from 1.21 to 1.39 (average 1.28); while the Simpson index (D) averaged 0.80. The sea community was stable.