title: Characterization of the planktonic food web of Takapoto Atoll lagoon, using network analysis.
abstract: The planktonic food web of Takapoto Atoll lagoon was studied using network analysis. This analysis includes four types of indices dealing with bilateral interactions of compartments, the trophic structure, biochemical cycles, and the topology of the flows. We found numerous parallel carbon pathways of similar importance, indicating a highly complex system compared to other marine ecosystems. Other characteristics were trophic levels not ranked in the same order as the size classes, the domination of system activity by processes at the first trophic level (and especially by herbivory), and cycling processes that involve many pathways. This is the first use of network analysis to describe completely a planktonic food web, and also the first comprehensive description of the trophic structure of the planktonic system in an atoll lagoon.
authors.affiliation: Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, URA CNRS 1453, Université de Perpignan, F-66860 Perpignan Cedex, France e-mail: niquil@univ-perp.fr, , , , , , FR.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Niquil
authors.affiliation: Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, URA CNRS 1453, Université de Perpignan, F-66860 Perpignan Cedex, France e-mail: niquil@univ-perp.fr, , , , , , FR.
authors.forename: J Ernesto
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Arias-González
authors.affiliation: Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, URA CNRS 1453, Université de Perpignan, F-66860 Perpignan Cedex, France e-mail: niquil@univ-perp.fr, , , , , , FR.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Delesalle
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, Cheasapeake Biological Laboratory, PO Box 38, Solomons, MD 20688, USA, , , , , , US.
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ulanowicz
keywords: Ascendency; Atoll lagoon; Food web; Key words Plankton; Network analysis