A study of the Hyperiid Amphipoda in the waters off the east and south coasts of the Republic of South Africa in relation to prevailing hydrological conditions

Master Thesis

1967

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University of Cape Town

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Abstract
During the International Geophysical Year, 1957 - 1958, it was decided that the hydrographic frigate, S.A.S. "Natal", as part of the South African contribution, should undertake a number of oceanographic cruises off the east and south coasts of the Republic of South Africa. Thus during 1958 three cruises were carried out in February and March, May, and August, during which a. total of eighty-four oceanographic stations were occupied. Sixteen were occupied in the first cruise and thirty-four each in the second and third cruises. The stations were located on "lines" normal to the coast at Durban, Port Shepstone, Port St. Johns, Bashee River, East London, Kowie River, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Seal. In the first cruise only four lines were worked and of these, the first three contained three stations each while the fourth (Port Elizabeth line) contained six stations. The first station (NGY.1) was not located on any line and was used for gear testing. In the second and third cruises the minimum number of stations per line was increased to four while the number on the Port Elizabeth line remained at six. At each station both biological and hydrological sampling was carried out. The zooplankton samples were sorted into major taxonomic groups (e.g. Hyperiid amphipods) in the 1aboratory,after determination of the settled- and displacement volumes in the case of samples collected with N.70 nets. It is this.materia1 that formed the basis of this study. The investigation was undertaken with the following a1ms in mind: (i) To further the knowledge of the Hyperiid Amphipoda present in the waters off the east and south coasts of the Republic. (ii) To extend the knowledge. of the world geographic distribution of' hyperiids and clarify the position regarding the alleged cosmopolitan status and wide tolerances of many species. (i1i) To define more precisely the hydrological tolerances of hyperiid amphipods and assess ·their value as "indicator species", either alone or in association with other hyperiids or members of other taxomomic groups in the zooplankton. (iv) To determine the extent to which similar hydrological tolerances govern interspecific association in the hyperiids.
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Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-61).

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