JPR Advance Access published online on July 23, 2008
Journal of Plankton Research, doi:10.1093/plankt/fbn074
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Grazing of Calanus finmarchicus and Oithona similis on the microplankton assemblage in the Irminger Sea, North Atlantic
,*1 National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK 2 Fisheries and Food Technological Institute (AZTI), Herrera Kaia Portualdea, 20110 Pasaia, Spain 3 Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Main Street, Newburgh, AB41 6AA, UK 4 Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK 5 NHS, Department of Health, Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7 UE
* Corresponding author E-mail: cxc{at}bodc.ac.uk
Received on January 24, 2008; revised on July 7, 2008; accepted on July 7, 2008
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Abstract |
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The present investigation reviews published data on the feeding rates and prey selection of O. similis females, C. finmarchicus nauplii and females in the Irminger Sea in April/May and July/August 2002. Our aim was to examine how the feeding rates and prey selection of these three copepod stages respond to concomitant changes in microplankton community composition and prey abundance. Copepods typically ingested prey overall according to it's ambient concentration although significant species and stage specific differences in prey type ingestion and selection were apparent. Despite being of comparable weight the ingestion rates of C. finmarchicus nauplii were always higher than those of the O. similis females. Moreover, C. finmarchicus nauplii and O. similis females fed preferentially on diatoms and ciliates respectively, whereas adult female C. finmarchicus showed limited prey selectivity. Copepod grazing impact on total and on ciliates/dinoflagellates standing stock was < 0.5 % and < 2 % respectively. We attribute this result to a combination of low grazing rates, low copepod abundance and low microplankton biomass, all of which are indicative of the non-bloom conditions under which these experiments were conducted. The differences in copepod feeding rates and prey selection we report reflect species and stage specific eco-physiological adaptations, which may act as important driving forces for marine ecosystem structuring and functioning.
Key Words: Oithona similis • Calanus finmarchicus • Feeding selection • Cyclopoids • Calanoids • Microplankton
Present address: British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC), Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, 6 Brownlow Street, Liverpool, L3 5DA, UK
Communicating Editor: Dr John Dolan
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