Two new methods for sampling zooplankton and larval assemblages in tropical reef ecosystems

- New methods were designed for capturing larval aggregations on coastal reefs.
- The Channel Midwater Neuston Net allows sampling in tidal channels at precise depths.
- The Reef Edge Net allows sampling at precise and adjustable depths close to reef edges.
- These moored systems allow the acquisition of reliable data on larval composition.
- These new net systems are suitable for larval monitoring studies during spawning events.

Sampling mobile zooplankton on reefs is a major challenge, mainly due to the problems faced when towing plankton nets inside complex reef mosaics. This study presents two new systems that permit precise point sampling of micro- and mesozooplankton and larvae of invertebrates and fish: the Channel Midwater Neuston Net (CMNN) and the Reef Edge Net (REN). Both are moored systems that are equipped with 64- and 300-μm mesh nets. The CMNN system was designed for continuous sampling in tidal channels between reef patches. It samples at three precise depth layers (epineuston: 0 m to 0.075 m, hyponeuston: 0.075 m to 0.225 m, 1 m layer: 0.925 m to 1.075 m depth). The REN system allows sampling at precise, adjustable depths at given distances from the reef edge. The objective of the REN is to collect organisms that are washed from reef tops and reef edges with the ebb flow. The performance of these two new systems was evaluated and compared with results obtained by using common Ring nets in horizontal subsurface tows. Fieldwork was performed at two reef patches of the Tamandaré reef system (Brazil) in November 2015. The CMNN and REN showed similar performance in comparison with Ring net tows, capturing microzooplankton communities as well as veliger, polychaete, decapod and barnacle larvae in similar abundances. For the mesozooplankton, the REN presented a similar performance to the Ring net tows, efficiently capturing decapod crustacean and fish larvae as well as fish eggs. The CMNN showed lower abundance of decapod larvae and fish eggs but showed a good performance for the quantification of fish larvae. The two new passive nets showed a high effectiveness in collecting larvae and advantages over tows with Ring nets since they stay for several hours continuously capturing larval aggregations during spawning events. This high capturing efficiency is probably related to the avoidance of sample reflux in the long nets that sink and close at slack tide for the CMNN, and due to the long, trap-like design with funnel-shaped internal “anti-reflux” nets, for the REN. Navigation safety and easy handling are further advantages of these moored systems, as compared to towing plankton nets at nighttime between reefs. CMNN and REN may become useful tools for the study of zooplankton and larval ecology and for integrated long-term studies in marine protected areas and reefs under multiple human impacts.