Migration Behavior, Fine Structure, and Bioluminescent Activity of Krill Sound-Scattering Layers

摘要

High-resolution SONAR and video techniques were used to quantify the migrationbehavior, fine structure, and bioluminescent activity of krill sound-scattering layers (SSLs) in the Gulf of Maine. These SSLs were found to exhibit highly synchronous vertical migration behavior, considerable fine-scale patchiness, and relatively high levels of stimulable bioluminescent activity. Our findings emphasize the highly variable and dynamic nature of krill distributions, a knowledge of which is essential to understanding their tropic role in marine ecosystems.