Variations in the density and diversity of micro-phytoplankton and micro-zooplankton in summer months at two coral reef sites around Mauritius island

Deepeeka, Kaullysing; Héloïse, Avé; Ranjeet, Bhagooli; Shaama, Sandooyea; Mouneshwar, Soondur

Variations in the density and diversity of micro-phytoplankton and micro-zooplankton in summer months at two coral reef sites around Mauritius island

2020

Deepeeka, Kaullysing | Héloïse, Avé | Ranjeet, Bhagooli | Shaama, Sandooyea | Mouneshwar, Soondur

Variations in micro-phytoplankton and micro-zooplankton communities on healthy coral reefs were evaluated at Flic en Flac (FEF) in the west coast and Belle Mare (BM) in the east coast of Mauritius island during the summer months from October 2018 to March 2019. Total micro-phytoplankton density (TMPD) varied significantly between the studied sites (p < 0.05) and months (p < 0.05) but did not bloom. The micro-phytoplankton diversity decreased from October 2018 to March 2019 at BM but increased gradually at FEF. Although diatoms were dominant in March 2019, dinoflagellates were also present in relatively high numbers. Total micro-zooplankton density (TMZD) varied significantly throughout the months (p < 0.001). TMZD was lowest in October 2018 and highest in March 2019 at both sites. TMZD and sea surface temperature (SST) correlated positively at BM (r = 0.719) and FEF (r = 0.910). A strong positive correlation (r = 0.946) was also noted between TMPD and TMZD at BM. A Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed that SST, salinity and TMZD were linked with variations in the composition of micro-phytoplankton community, while SST, salinity and dissolved oxygen affected microzooplankton distribution. Variable density and diversity of micro-plankton communities on reefs may have implications for coral reefs’ responses to and recovery from high SST anomalies.

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