The Vertical Distribution of Marine Macroplankton. X. Notes on the Behaviour of Sagitta in the Plymouth Area

Abstract

1. The diurnal behaviour of Sagitta of different sizes is shown as a result of collections made with the 2-metre stramin ring-trawl throughout 24 hours on July 15th–16th, 1924, and on June 3rd–4th, 1926.2. The younger stages ofSagitta elegansappear to withstand higher intensities of light in the daytime than do the older stages, and they migrate first to the surface at dusk, as do those ofSagitta setosa. The older stages leave the surface first at dawn.3. Diagrams are given showing the curves of equal intensities of light beneath the sea surface throughout 24 hours as calculated from air intensities obtained in June, with a reflection loss of 15%; (a) assuming a coefficient of absorption of 0·200 at all depths, and (b) assuming a coefficient of absorption of 0·100 at all depths.4. It appears, from a comparison of the behaviour ofSagitta eleganswith the calculated light conditions beneath the surface, that the older Sagitta at any rate are more sensitive to light in the early morning after the darkness of the night and can become adapted to light of higher intensities later in the day.5. Previously published observations on the behaviour of Sagitta sp. on June 17th–18th–19th, 1925, show quite a different type of behaviour from the above, possibly due to more transparent water, the Sagitta only appearing abundantly above 30 metres in the dark. They had again migrated to below 30 m. before there was any appreciable light.