24 research outputs found
Abundance of small individuals influences the effectiveness of processing techniques for deep-sea nematodes
No full textNematodes are the most abundant metazoans of deep-sea benthic communities, but knowledge of their distribution is limited relative to larger organisms. Whilst some aspects of nematode processing techniques, such as extraction, have been extensively studied, other key elements have attracted little attention. We compared the effect of (1) mesh size (63, 45, and 32 μm) on estimates of nematode abundance, biomass, and body size, and (2) microscope magnification (50 and 100×) on estimates of nematode abundance at bathyal sites (250-3100 m water depth) on the Challenger Plateau and Chatham Rise, south-west Pacific Ocean. Variation in the effectiveness of these techniques was assessed in relation to nematode body size and environmental parameters (water depth, sediment organic matter content, %silt/clay, and chloroplastic pigments). The 63-μm mesh retained a relatively low proportion of total nematode abundance (mean ±SD = 55 ±9%), but most of nematode biomass (90 ± 4%). The proportion of nematode abundance retained on the 45-μm mesh in surface (0-1 cm) and subsurface (1-5 cm) sediment was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with %silt/clay (R² = 0.39) and chloroplastic pigments (R² = 0.29), respectively. Variation in median nematode body weight showed similar trends, but relationships between mean nematode body weight and environmental parameters were either relatively weak (subsurface sediment) or not significant (surface sediment). Using a low magnification led to significantly lower (on average by 43%) nematode abundance estimates relative to high magnification (P < 0.001), and the magnitude of this difference was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with total nematode abundance (R²p = 0.53) and the number of small (≤ 250 μm length) individuals (R²p = 0.05). Our results suggest that organic matter input and sediment characteristics influence the abundance of small nematodes in bathyal communities. The abundance of small individuals can, in turn, influence abundance estimates obtained using different mesh sizes and microscope magnifications
The skeletal carbonate contribution to mixed terrigenous-carbonate sediments on the temperate northeastern Northland continental shelf, New Zealand
No full textThe northeastern Northland continental shelf (NNCS) includes the coastal, shelf and uppermost slope seafloor out to depths of 210 m and over a distance of 150 km between North Cape and Ngurauru Bay slightly north of Whangarei. The nature of the surficial sediments covering NNCS is poorly known and this study uses archived and recently collected samples to begin to address this situation, with special attention to the nature and distribution of the skeletal carbonate fraction. The sediments are mainly neither carbonate-dominated as occurs in the Three Kings area immediately to the north, nor overwhelmingly terrigenous in nature as typifies more southern shelf sectors. Instead, mixed terrigenous-carbonate deposits prevail in an often patchwork mosaic distribution of facies. Carbonate content is often highest nearshore and in bays and harbours (50-80%), and generally decreases into deeper water (few-50%). The NNCS sediments are almost completely dominated by sand-sized components (60-90%) comprising gravelly sand, sand, muddy sand and gravelly muddy sand textures.
A sedimentary facies model is developed for the NNCS identifying five different facies. Facies 1 is siliciclastic quartzofeldspathic sand with minor bivalve contributions, occurring only in the northern sector. Subfacies 1a (quartz>feldspar) occurs at inner- to mid-shelf depths and is mainly derived from reworked Quaternary Karioitahi Group sand deposits and/or podzolisation and reworking of local soils. Subfacies 1b (feldspar>quartz) occurs in mid- to outer-shelf depths and is derived from the erosion of a combination of the Quaternary sand deposits (Katioitahi Group), Mesozoic basement rocks and Northland volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Facies 2 comprises mixed barnacle-siliciclastic gravel and sand at inner-shelf to uppermost slope depths in the northern sector and includes submarine basaltic and type 1 sedimentary rock fragments derived from Mesozoic basement rocks and the Tangihua Complex of the Northland Allochthon. Facies 3 consists of mixed calcareous red algae and bivalve-siliciclastic gravel and sand at inner- to mid-shelf depths in the southern sector and involves a mix of relict and modern skeletal material and sedimentary rock fragments type 2 sourced from Tertiary deposits. Facies 4 is mixed foraminiferal-siliciclastic sand and mud and occurs only in the very southern sector in two subfacies. Subfacies 4a, a mixed benthic foraminiferal-siliciclastic sand, occurs in mid-shelf depths and comprises plagioclase dominated siliciclastic material sourced from Mesozoic basement rocks. Subfacies 4b, a mixed planktic foraminiferal-siliciclastic sand and mud, occurs in mid- to outer-shelf depths and comprises rock fragments derived from Tertiary deposits which could also be a local source of the reworked planktic foraminifera at these depths. Facies 5 consists of mixed bryozoan-siliciclastic sand at mid-shelf depths and in scattered locations across the NNCS associated with rocky outcrops for bryozoan attachment. Siliciclastic material comprises plagioclase sand sourced from reworking of Mesozoic basement rocks, and sedimentary rock fragments type 2 sourced from Tertiary sediments.
The NNCS sedimentary facies model is compared with other temperate carbonate shelf models and carbonate-rich North Island shelf sectors, including Hauraki Gulf, Three Kings platform, north Kaipara continental margin and Wanganui shelf, which serves to both test and expand scenarios of cool-water carbonate sedimentation established for New Zealand. Overall, the mixed terrigenous-carbonate material on the NNCS comprises an often mosaic facies distribution with the skeletal fraction dominated by bivalve and barnacle fragments and a mixture of relict and modern material. These characteristics reflect several environmental controls, including (a) diversified substrate types (rock, shell, sand, mud); (b) variable supply and dispersal routes of terrigenous material linked to positions of hinterland estuaries/harbours and rocky versus sandy coastlines; (c) scattered and discrete areas of primary carbonate generation (the “carbonate factories”) and the subsequent selective transportation of skeletal grains; (d) local effects of nutrient-rich upwelling; and (e) the variable mix of relict and modern sediment associated with the post-glacial rise of sea level since about 20 ka
Insignificant enhancement of export flux in the highly productive subtropical front, east of New Zealand: a high resolution study of particle export fluxes based on Th-234: U-238 disequilibria
No full textWe evaluated the export fluxes of Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) in the Subtropical Frontal zone (STF) of the SW Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. The site is characterized by enhanced primary productivity, which has been suggested to be stimulated through so-called natural iron fertilization processes where iron-depleted subantarctic water (SAW) mixes with mesotrophic, iron-replete subtropical water (STW). We adopted the small-volume Th-234 method to achieve the highest possible spatial sampling resolution in austral late autumn-early winter, May-June, 2008. Inventories of chlorophyll-a, particulate Th-234 and POC observed in the upper 100 m were all elevated in the mid-salinity water type (34.5 34.8) salinity waters which were of STW origin with low macronutrients. However, Steady-State Th-234 fluxes were similar across the salinity gradient being, 25 +/- 0.78 ((1.5 +/- 0.047) x 10(3)) in the mid-salinity, and 29 +/- 0.53 ((1.8 +/- 0.032) x 10(3)) and 22 +/- 1.1 Bq m(-2) d(-1) ((1.3 +/- 0.066) x 10(3) dpm m(-2) d(-1)) in the high and low salinity waters respectively. Bottle POC/Th ratios at the depth of 100 m were used to convert Th-234 fluxes into POC export fluxes. The derived POC flux did not appear to be enhanced in mid-salinity waters where the primary productivity was inferred to be the highest at the time of sampling, with a flux of 11 +/- 0.45 mmol C m(-2) d(-1), compared to 14 +/- 0.39 mmol C m(-2) d(-1) in high salinity waters and 8.5 +/- 0.66 mmol C m(-2) d(-1) in low salinity waters. This study thus implied that natural iron fertilization does not necessarily lead to an enhancement of POC export in STF regions
Influence of mesh size and core penetration on estimates of deep-sea nematode abundance, biomass, and diversity
No full textRegenerated primary production dominates in a periodically upwelling shelf ecosystem, northeast New Zealand
No full textTwo new free-living nematode species (Trefusiina: Trefusiidae) from the Chatham Rise crest, Southwest Pacific Ocean
No full textTwo new species of the family Trefusiidae, viz., Trefusia piperata sp. nov. and Trefusialaimus idrisi sp. nov., are described from the crest of the Chatham Rise, Southwest Pacific Ocean (350 m water depth). The present study provides the first species records for this family in the region. Trefusia and Trefusialaimus comprise twenty and three valid species, respectively. A key to males of Trefusia is provided
Two new genera and five new species of Selachinematidae (Nematoda, Chromadorida) from the continental slope of New Zealand
No full textTwo new genera and five new species of Selachinematidae are described from the New Zealand upper continental slope (350-1240 m depth). Synonchiella rotundicauda sp. nov. is characterised by cephalic setae 0.25 cbd long, mandibles each with two pairs of hooks and two wing-like projections laterally, eight cup-shaped pre-cloacal supplements and short rounded tail. Pseudocheironchus gen. nov. is similar to Cheironchus, but differs from the latter in having a cuticle without lateral differentiation, cephalic setae only slightly longer than the outer labial sensillae, and a posterior buccal cavity with three equal mandibles. Pseudocheironchus ingluviosus gen. et sp. nov. is characterised by mandibles with eight blunt teeth, multispiral amphideal fovea with five turns, and a short rounded tail. Males of this new species with 17-19 cup-shaped pre-cloacal supplements. Males of the genus Cobbionema are described for the first time; C. trigamma sp. nov. is characterised by four long cephalic setae and six smaller outer labial setae in one circle, six rhabdions surrounding the anterior buccal cavity, each with two pairs of pointed projections at their posterior extremities, posterior buccal cavity widening posteriorly, with three pairs of rhabdions fused posteriorly and widening anteriorly, males with two testes pointing anteriorly and with reflexed posterior testis, and no pre-cloacal supplements. Gammanema agglutinans sp. nov. is characterised by a short, stout body often covered in adhering mucus and detritus, cuticle with minute spines, leaf-shaped somatic setae with ducts, sexual dimorphism in the shape of the amphideal fovea (loop-shaped in males and spiral in females), posterior buccal cavity with three pairs of broad, column-shaped rhabdions fused anteriorly, intestine cells with orange-brown granules, and small tubular pre-cloacal supplements. Bendiella gen. nov. is most similar to Halichoanolaimus, but differs from the latter, and all other genera of the family Selachinematidae, in having a cuticle with lateral differentiation consisting of longitudinal rows of larger dots, and from all other genera of the Choniolaiminae in lacking pre-cloacal supplements. Bendiella thalassa gen. et sp. nov. is characterised by amphideal fovea with 5.25 turns, anterior buccal cavity with twelve rhabdions, each with a pair of pointed projections at posterior extremity, posterior buccal cavity with three Y-shaped pairs of slender rhabdions fused from two thirds of distance from anterior ends, and conico-cylindrical tail
Deep-sea nematodes (Comesomatidae) from the Southwest Pacific Ocean: five new species and three new species records
No full textThe present study describes five new free-living nematode species and provides three new species records of the family Comesomatidae (genera Cervonema Wieser, 1954, Dorylaimopsis Ditlevsen, 1918, Hopperia Vitiello, 1969, and Kenyanema Muthumbi et al., 1997) from the continental margin of New Zealand, Southwest Pacific. Dichotomous identification keys are provided for all known species of Dorylaimopsis and Hopperia. Cervonema shiae Chen & Vincx, 2000 is recorded for the first time outside the type locality (Beagle Channel, Chile). C. kaikouraensis sp. nov. is characterised by amphideal fovea with 5.5 turns situated at 1.7 head diameter from anterior end, jointed outer labial setae, equal in length to cephalic setae, sperm dimorphism, and 5-6 small pre-cloacal supplements. C. multispira sp. nov. is characterised by amphideal fovea with 8.0-8.5 turns situated at 2.6-4.0 head diameter from anterior end, cephalic setae 2-3 μm long, slightly shorter than outer labial setae, presence of six uninucleated cells in males (potentially pseudocoelomocytes or supplementary excretory cells), 5 small pre-cloacal supplements, and strongly cuticularised, arcuate spicules with capitulum. C. proberti sp. nov. is characterised by amphideal fovea with 5 turns and located at < 1 head diameter from anterior end, cephalic setae 1.6-2.0 times longer than outer labial setae, and 8 small pre-cloacal supplements. Dorylaimopsis nodderi sp. nov. is characterised by cuticle with lateral differentiation consisting of three longitudinal rows of larger dots in the pharyngeal and caudal regions, two rows of larger dots in middle region of body, and spicules with rounded ventral projection at one third of spicule length from distal end, giving appearance of a joint. Hopperia ancora sp. nov. is characterised by short conical cephalic setae, spicules with hook-like projection at distal end, gubernaculum with bent apophyses, and 11-13 pre-cloacal supplements. H. beaglense Chen & Vincx, 1998 is recorded from Kaikoura Canyon, the fi rst record of this species outside the type locality (Beagle Channel, Chile). Kenyanema monorchis Muthumbi et al., 1997 is also recorded for the first time outside the type locality (Indian Ocean)
Timing of initiation of reverse displacement on the Taranaki Fault, northern Taranaki Basin: Constraints from the on land record (Oligocene Te Kuiti Group)
No full textStructures associated with the wedge of basement overthrust into Taranaki Basin along the Taranaki Fault, are regarded as hydrocarbon plays and have been tested by drilling through the tip of the overthrust. The timing of initiation of reverse displace ment on Taranaki Fault is difficult to interpret from available seismic reflection data across it because the evidence has been masked by later movements. The record from the basin, as summarised in King & Thrasher (1996), suggests that the fault evolved from normal to reverse character during the mid-Oligocene. This was inferred from formation of a foredeep parallel to, and west of, Taranaki Fault and a marked increase in its paleo-water depth, as indicated by foraminiferal assemblages of Late Oligocene age.
A comprehensive re-assessment of the lithostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy of the Late Eocene-Oligocene Te Kuiti Group exposed on land east of Taranaki Fault in central-western North Island, between Port Waikato and Awakino, provides new constraints on the early history of Taranaki Fault displacement. New age control has been achieved by a review of existing foraminiferal biostratigraphy combined with determination of Sr isotope ages from macrofossil samples. Six unconformity-bound sequences have been identified and mapped within the Te Kuiti Group. A major subaerial unconformity between sequences TK3 and TK4 combined with a basinward shift in the position of onlap for sequence TK4 indicate a dramatic change in stratigraphic development and basin dynamics during the mid-upper Whaingaroan at c. 29 Ma, corresponding to the change from mild extension (sag basin) to shortening across the Taranaki Fault Zone. We consider sequences TK4 – TK6 to each represent tectonic cycles of subsidence and basin inversion and we attribute the origin of these cycles to periodic locking of the Taranaki Fault décollement in underlying Murihiku basement, the accumulating strain causing uplift in the basin east of the fault zone, followed by free displacement, relaxation in the upper crust and subsidence. A 1st order model is presented of the Late Oligocene to earliest Miocene vertical and horizontal displacement of basement on the Taranaki Fault Zone for a west –east transect through Awakino. It implies that the mid- to Late Oligocene displace¬ment on the fault zone in the vicinity of Awakino was episodic, and that the thrust belt was narrow (c. 15 km). North of Kawhia Harbour there will have been a different displacement history with most of the total displacement occurring during the devel opment of the c. 29 Ma unconformity at the base of Sequence TK4, whereas to the south between Awakino and Kawhia Harbour the majority of the total displacement occurred during the Otaian and at the end of it. The model also shows that the start of reverse/thrust displacement on Taranaki Fault must have involved the development of a completely new fault trace(s), rather than involving a change of sense of movement on the pre-existing normal fault. The Manganui Fault is part of the Taranaki Fault Zone and probably became active at c. 27 Ma during development of the unconformity between sequences TK4 & TK5. The model presented here has been validated against the subsurface Oligocene stratigraphy in Taranaki Basin
Isoscape Models of the Southern Ocean: Predicting Spatial and Temporal Variability in Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Compositions of Particulate Organic Matter
No full textPolar marine ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Warming temperatures, freshening seawater, and disruption to sea-ice formation potentially all have cascading effects on food webs. New approaches are needed to better understand spatiotemporal interactions among biogeochemical processes at the base of Southern Ocean food webs. In marine systems, isoscapes (models of the spatial variation in the stable isotopic composition) of carbon and nitrogen have proven useful in identifying spatial variation in a range of biogeochemical processes, such as nutrient utilization by phytoplankton. Isoscapes provide a baseline for interpreting stable isotope compositions of higher trophic level animals in movement, migration, and diet research. Here, we produce carbon and nitrogen isoscapes across the entire Southern Ocean (>40°S) using surface particulate organic matter isotope data, collected over the past 50 years. We use Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation-based approaches to predict mean annual isoscapes and four seasonal isoscapes using a suite of environmental data as predictor variables. Clear spatial gradients in δ13C and δ15N values were predicted across the Southern Ocean, consistent with previous statistical and mechanistic views of isotopic variability in this region. We identify strong seasonal variability in both carbon and nitrogen isoscapes, with key implications for the use of static or annual average isoscape baselines in animal studies attempting to document seasonal migratory or foraging behaviors
