SPECIES-SPECIFIC REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES IN SALPS: IMPLICATIONS FOR BLOOM FORMATION

Salps, pelagic tunicates with alternating sexual and asexual generations, can rapidly form large blooms under favorable conditions, significantly impacting marine biogeochemical cycles through their high filtration efficiency. Although salp blooms are well-studied for their ecological impact, the influence of species-specific reproductive strategies on salp bloom formation and magnitude remains poorly understood. In this study, we compare sexual and asexual reproductive outputs across salp species, with a focus on their asexual budding strategies and their implications for bloom formation. Salp specimens used in this study were imaged in situ or hand-collected in 1-liter jars via untethered "blue water" diving off the coast of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, a region with high salp diversity. After collection, the specimens were photographed in the lab using a DSLR camera. Morphometric measurements, and reproductive traits were analyzed from images. By comparing the reproductive traits across a variety of salp species, this research will shed light on the ecological and evolutionary factors driving reproductive success in salps. The findings will also enhance our understanding of how species-specific reproductive strategies contribute to salp bloom dynamics and their broader role in marine pelagic ecosystems.  

Presentation Preference: Oral

Primary Presenter: Farzana Yesmin, University of Oregon (fyesmin@uoregon.edu)

Authors:

Farzana Yesmin, University of Oregon  (fyesmin@uoregon.edu)

Kelly Sutherland, University of Oregon  (ksuth@uoregon.edu)