Comparison of zooplankton communities in the East Sea, East China Sea and Philippine Sea

Aim: To investigate the distribution pattern and species composition of zooplankton in relation to different water bodies. Methodology: Zooplankton communities were investigated at 11 stations in the East Sea, three stations in the East China Sea and four stations in Philippine Sea. Sea surface temperature and salinity were simultaneously measured during the sampling. Results: The mean sea surface temperature was highest in the Philippine Sea and lowest in the East Sea. Total 198 species of seven zooplankton phyla were identified. In the East Sea, copepods were most dominant (52%), followed by amphipods (23%). In the East China Sea, copepods comprised 86% of all zooplankton species with 5% mollusks. In the Philippine Sea, copepods accounted for 79% of all zooplankton species. Zooplankton densities were higher in the East China Sea than other seas, followed by the East Sea and the Philippine Sea. The species number of zooplankton was higher in the Philippine Sea than other seas. Warm water species was dominated in the Philippine Sea, followed by the East China Sea. Relative proportion of cold water species were higher in the East Sea than other seas. Interpretation: Zooplankton communities were indicated by oceanographic characteristics of water bodies.