Abundances, growth rates, and production of tropical neritic copepods off Kingston, Jamaica

Abstract

Weekly samples were collected near Kingston, Jamaica in 27 m vertical hauls, using 200 and 64µm mesh plankton nets, from July 1985 to January 1987. Thirtytwo copepod species were identified; nauplii and all copepodite stages were enumerated. Total copepod abundance ranged from 2.56 to 87.3 × 104 m−2. The annual abundance cycle was bimodal with peaks in October–November and May–June corresponding to the rainy seasons. Mean annual copepodite biomass was 0.15 g AFDW m−2 ranging from 0.03 to 0.41 g AFDW m−2. Mean generation time (from egg to adult) at 28°C was 19.5 d for the common speciesCentropages velificatus, Paracalanus aculeatus, andTemora turbinata. Isochronal development was demonstrated for copepodites ofP. aculeatus andT. turbinata, but not forC. velificatus. Mean daily specific growth rates (G) were 0.63, 0.63, and 0.48 d−1 forC. velificatus, P. aculeatus, andT. turbinata, respectively. In general, daily specific growth rates decreased in the later copepodite stages. Thus, it is postulated that growth of later stages and egg production may be food limited. Annual copepodite production was estimated as 419 kJ m−2 yr−1, while annual exuvial production and naupliar production were 35 and 50 kJ m−2 yr−1, respectively. Egg production was estimated as 44% (184 kJ m−2 yr−1) of the total copepodite production. Thus, mean total annual copepod production was 688 kJ m−2 yr−1. This estimate is within the range of copepod production estimates in coastal temperate regions.