Abstract
Abstract Diel variations in the gut fluorescence of Anomalocera patersoni (Copepoda, Pontellidae) were studied on adult males and females collected in the northwest Mediterranean at 1–2-hr intervals over a 24-hr cycle. Total pigment content (chlorophyll + phaeopigment) ranged from 5.1 to 19.5 ng ind.−1 in males and from 7.1 to 21.3 ng ind.−1 in females; it was higher at night than during the day in both sexes. As a result of the large dispersion of values, chlorophyll levels did not change significantly during the 24 hr cycle. Phaeopigment levels were highest at night between 19.45 and 23.45 GMT in both sexes. A smaller peak was noted around 12.30 GMT. Between these two peaks, lows were noted at 9.30 and 15.30 GMT, respectively. Thus, A. patersoni exhibits a diel bimodal rhythm in gut fluorescence. Individual phaeopigment levels were much lower than data reported for herbivorous species. These differences are certainly linked to the clearly carnivorous tendency of A. patersoni. In this species, the levels of phaeopigments seem to correspond to pigments contained in ingested prey. Rhythmic variations probably reflect the daily rhythm of feeding activity.
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