Abstract
We present a study on the protozooplankton 45 mm and copepods larger than 50 mm at a series of contrasting stations across the Southern Indian Ocean (SIO). Numerically, over 80% of the copepod community across the transect was less than 650 mm in size, dominated by nauplii, and smaller copepods, while 80% of the biomass (as mg C m3) was larger than 1300 mm in body length. Predation
by the carnivorous copepod Corycaeus sp. was estimated to be able to remove up to 2% d1 of the copepods o1000 mm in size. By the help of grazing models we estimated that primary producers were mainly grazed upon by ciliates and heterotrophic dinoflagellates (40–80% d1 combined) in temperate waters but appendicularians became increasingly important in the tropical waters grazing about 40% of the biomass per day. Despite their high abundance and biomass, copepods contributed less than 20% of the grazing at most stations. Secondary production was low (carbon specific egg production o0.14 d1) but typical for food limited oligotrophic oceans
by the carnivorous copepod Corycaeus sp. was estimated to be able to remove up to 2% d1 of the copepods o1000 mm in size. By the help of grazing models we estimated that primary producers were mainly grazed upon by ciliates and heterotrophic dinoflagellates (40–80% d1 combined) in temperate waters but appendicularians became increasingly important in the tropical waters grazing about 40% of the biomass per day. Despite their high abundance and biomass, copepods contributed less than 20% of the grazing at most stations. Secondary production was low (carbon specific egg production o0.14 d1) but typical for food limited oligotrophic oceans
Original language | English |
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Journal | Deep-Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers |
Volume | 75 |
Pages (from-to) | 16-27 |
ISSN | 0967-0637 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |