Vol. 77 (2) 2025

ARTICLES

Annual Cycle, Abundance and Species Composition of Appendicularia in the Bay of Boka Kotorska (Southern Adriatic, NE Mediterranean)

Vera Vukanić1*, Miodrag Malović2 & Darko Jevremović3†

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*1Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Lole Ribara 29, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia; E-mail: vera.vukanic@pr.ac.rs, veravukanic@yahoo.com
2University of Belgrade, Innovation centre of Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia; E-mail: ofis2@malovic.in.rs
3Astronomical Observatory, Volgina 7, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb77.2.002834

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Abstract
Appendicularians often constitute a significant portion of mesozooplankton tunicates in marine ecosystems. This study examines the spatial variations in the annual cycles of functional groups of planktonic Appendicularia in response to environmental changes within the Bay of Boka Kotorska. Monthly sampling over the course of a year during 2008/09 was conducted at seven stations, each characterised by distinct hydrographic conditions. Appendicularians exhibited spatial variations in their annual cycles across the seven stations. Based on these findings, it is proposed that the observed spatial variations in the annual cycles of functional groups of planktonic Appendicularia may reflect changes in hydrographic conditions. We present hydrographic data alongside information on the presence, abundance and distribution of eight species of two genera: Oikopleura dioica Fol, O. longicauda Vogt, O.fusiformis Fol, Fritillaria aequatorialis Lohmann, F. megachille Fol, F. pellucida (Busch), F. haplostoma Fol and F. borealis Lohmann. We also provide an overview of the occurrence of the dinoflagellate N. scintillans and its relationship with Appendicularia in the Bay of Boka Kotorska.

Key words
Appendicularia, seasonal patterns, hydrographic conditions, estuarine-neritic fauna, zooplankton community

How to Cite
Vukanić V., Malović M. & Jevremović D. – Annual Cycle, Abundance and Species Composition of Appendicularia in the Bay of Boka Kotorska (Southern Adriatic, NE Mediterranean). Acta zoologica bulgarica 77 (2) 189-198.

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