Grazing activity of mesoplanktonic copepods in a shallow bay during an algal spring bloom (Marennes-Oléron Bay, France)

Abstract

In situ grazing activity of mesoplanktonic copepods was investigated by the fluorometric method during an algal spring bloom in a zone of oyster farming in Marennes-Oléron Bay. The grazing activity of copepods was overall higher during the night than during the day for three species (Temora longicornis, Paracalanus parvus and Acartia clausi), but peaks also appeared during the day for all of them. Individual ingestion rates and daily rations were higher during neap tide (low suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations) than during spring tide (high SPM concentrations). During ebb tide (when SPM concentrations were the lowest) the feeding activity of T. longicornis, P. parvus and A. clausi was significantly negatively correlated with algal concentration. Our work suggests that during the algal spring bloom in the farming area of Marennes-Oléron Bay the pressure exerted by mesoplanktonic copepods on the algal stock was very low, as a consequence of: (i) high algal concentrations in the field (resuspension and high phytoplanktonic production); (ii) low ingestion rates when high algal concentrations were observed. The likely ingestion of non-fluorescent particles by copepods is discussed.