Spatial and Seasonal Variations in Chaetognath Assemblages in Two Subtropical Marine Inlets with Different Hydrographical Characteristics

Wong (2008) Spatial and seasonal variations in chaetognath assemblages in two subtropical marine inlets with different hydrographical characteristics. Zoological Studies 47(3): xxx-xxx. The seasonal and spatial occurrences of Chaetognatha were studied in 2 subtropical marine inlets with different hydrographical characteristics. Tolo Harbour and Mirs Bay are marine bays in the northeastern corner of Hong Kong. Tolo Harbour is a semi-enclosed bay with poor water circulation. It opens into Mirs Bay which is fully exposed to water currents from the South China Sea. Chaetognath species were grouped by hierarchical classification of samples using the Bray-Curtis similarity coefficient and a clustering strategy with flexible links. Indicator species for each group were used to characterize species assemblages. Indigenous species, including Flaccisagitta enflata, Aidanosagitta neglecta, A. delicata, A. nagae, A. crassa, A. johorensis, and A. regularis, occurred in the entire study area, but densities were must higher in Tolo Harbour. Non-indigenous species, including A. bedfordii, Krohnitta pacifica, Pterosagitta draco, Decipisagitta decipiens, Ferosagitta ferox