Size and stage specific patterns in Salpa thompsoni vertical migration

Vertical distribution and size-dependent migrations of the pelagic tunicate Salpa thompsoni were studied during late summer to early autumn (26th February – 15th March 2018) at contrasting hydrological stations over Kerguelen Plateau (Southern Indian Ocean). migrators, such as S. thompsoni, have potentially significant impacts on biological pump because their large swarms, high grazing/fecal pellet production rates extensive vertical migrations. undergoing diel migration from a daytime weighted mean depth ~450 m nighttime ~100 m. Smaller blastozooids oozoids strongest while larger counterparts did not show consistent cycle in distribution. Strong smallest imply predation pressure these groups. This knowledge has implications modelling salp contributions passive active carbon fluxes.