DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF THE CTENOP-HORE, PLEUROBRACHIA GLOBOSA MOSER IN THE NEARSHORE WATERS OF SOUTHEAST CHINA

The geographical distribution and seasonal abundance of Pleurobrachia globosu are analyzed on the basis of 806 samples taken from 91 stations in six sea areas along the southeast coast of China from April 1960 to January 1979. This ctenophore species is seen in small quantities without evident annual peak, while it is seen throughout the year in southern Fujian in great quantities with three peaks. The annual quantity of the animal decreased gradually from southern Fujian northward and appeared in shorter periods. The peak number of annual quantity decreased gradully as well. It is tentatively concluded that in low temperatures (less than 25.5℃) salinity is a limiting factor for the distribution of P. globosa while temperature takes over the control when salinities are low (less than 27.5‰).The T-S-P diagram may be used to predict the occurrence of "bloom" of these animals and be useful for aquaculture in preventing unnecessary losses due to the predation of P. globosa.