Seasonal Population Dynamics of Mysis diluviana in Lake Ontario in 2018

Session: Poster Session

Patrick Boynton, Cornell Biological Field Station, [email protected]
Toby Holda, Cornell Biological Field Station, [email protected]
James Watkins, Cornell University, [email protected]
Lars Rudstam, Cornell University Bio Field Station, Dept. of Natural Resources, [email protected]

Abstract

Mysis diluviana is a common generalist macroinvertebrate within the Great Lakes that displays diel-vertical migration.  Because of its life history, M. diluviana fulfills a unique role in the Great Lakes by providing a link for nutrients to flow between the lower and upper trophic levels.  Therefore, a portion of the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) survey is dedicated to collecting and analyzing samples of M. diluviana to estimate abundance, biomass, and reproduction rates.  CSMI is an annual intensive study of the Great Lakes focusing on one of the five lakes each year providing an in depth assessment of nutrient cycling, phytoplankton and zooplankton population dynamics.  In 2018 Lake Ontario was sampled monthly from April through September for a total of 31 samples.  Our primary objective is to assess the population dynamics of M. diluviana within Lake Ontario over 2018 and make comparisons with historical data.