The Horizontal Distribution of Zooplankton in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii

Abstract

Samples were taken with the Longhurst-Hardy plankton sampler in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, during 1969, to study the horizontal distribution of the zooplankton. Kaneohe Bay was divided into six different regions, and samples were taken in each region. The distributions of the zooplankton were analysed by computer for deviations from randomness, and these deviations were compared between regions. It was found that two different types of distributions were present. First, some of the animals had distributions that did not deviate from randomness. Second, most of the animals were found to have distributions that did deviate from randomness. These distributions were of two types. Several of the animals found in the Southern Sector of Kaneohe Bay were found to be associated with two bathymetric features, a patch reef and a relatively isolated cove. The associations of these animals with the bathymetric features is suggested as being of an active nature. The remaining distributions showed a pattern of deviation from randomness which was attributed to the effect of mixing of different water masses during the tidal exchange of water between Kaneohe Bay and the ocean.