Kingston Harbour Research Articles

Dead men still tell tales: bivalve death assemblages record dynamics and consequences of recent biological invasions in Kingston Harbour, Jamaica

Abstract Short-lived biological invasions may leave lasting impacts on ecosystems well after they have concluded, yet the nature of such events is difficult to elucidate in the absence of monitoring efforts. Here, the ability for surficial death assemblages to recount such invasion events and their ecological legacies was tested using mangrove-dwelling bivalves from Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, where the Asian green mussel ( Perna viridis ) was introduced c. 20 years ago. While rare in Kingston Harbour today, relative densities of dead P. viridis shells mapped well to historical surveys from early into the invasion and thus help reconstruct spatial variations in invasion intensity. Live–dead discordance for the bivalve community further indicated that species have not returned to pre-invasion relative abundance distributions such that the economically-important mangrove oyster ( Crassostrea rhizophorae ) declined while the flat tree oyster ( Isognomon alatus ) rose to dominance. Finally, we report the presence of the charru mussel ( Mytella strigata ) in Kingston Harbour, a newly introduced species that has not yet been significantly incorporated into the subfossil record. This case study exemplifies the utility of underexploited sources of geohistorical data for informing the growing problem of human-assisted biological invasion.

Status of Microplastic Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystem with a Case Study on Cherating River, Malaysia

Microplastics are emerging contaminants owing to their potential to adsorb and release pollutants from the environment, transferring these pollutants to the food web. Most marine microplastics come from the terrestrial environment, mainly from inland freshwaters that are direct receivers of runoff from urban, industrial, and agricultural areas. The present study investigated the occurrence of microplastics in surface water samples taken from the Cherating river and the Cherating mangrove, Pahang along with a review of recent studies on microplastics abundance in aquatic ecosystems. Three sampling sites were established (two sites along the river and one site in a mangrove in the downstream of the river). In the up- and midstream regions, the river passes by residential, fishery and tourism areas, while the mangrove is located close to Cherating Beach. The highest microplastics abundance was discovered in the midstream region, with an average abundance 0.0070 ± 0.0033 particles/m3, followed by the mangrove (0.0051 ± 0.0053 particles/m3). Fragments with a size of 0.5 to 1.0 mm and white-colored microplastics were prevalent. The findings are similar to those from other microplastic studies (e.g. in Aveiro and Lisbon, Portugal; New England, USA; Kingston Harbour, Jamaica), but lower than microplastics studies in Asia (e.g. Yangtze river estuary and Hangjiang river, China). Overall, the findings provide background information on microplastics pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

Neotectonics of Southeast Jamaica Derived From Marine Seismic Surveys and Gravity Cores

AbstractTectonics in Southeast Jamaica is poorly understood, but the region may contain currently unknown faults that could generate large‐magnitude earthquakes. This study constrains tectonics in Southeast Jamaica by collecting and analyzing seismic and shallow sediment core data in and around Kingston Harbor. Seismic results reveal a previously unrecognized strike‐slip fault system that accommodates strain via a complex mix of compression and extension. The faults appear to be a blind extension of one major fault (i.e., The Bull Bay Strike‐Slip Fault) within the Enriquillo‐Plantain Garden Fault Zone. This fault system may represent significant hazards to Kingston Jamaica because the fault is active, located less than 5 km from the city, and a complete rupture of the fault could generate a Mw 5.8–6.9 earthquake. Our analyses highlight the need for continued paleoseismic studies, both onshore and offshore Jamaica.

Characterization of microplastics in the surface waters of Kingston Harbour

Microplastic contamination of the marine environment has garnered global attention in recent years, and its distribution and effects in many small island developing states (SIDS) are still undetermined. As such, this study serves to detail an investigation of the abundance, spatial distribution and characteristics of surface water microplastics in the Kingston Harbour, a heavily polluted embayment in Jamaica. Fortnightly sampling with a manta trawl (335 μm mesh) revealed non-variable concentrations of 0–5.73 particles/m3 (0–2,697,674.13 particles/km2) across stations adjacent to mangrove forests, key nursery grounds for many commercially important finfish and shellfish. Microplastics found in samples were predominantly fragments and were between 1 mm and 2.5 mm. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy identified polyethylene and polypropylene in fragments selected for analysis. These data serve to establish a crucial baseline of the status of microplastic pollution in Kingston Harbour.

Native and Exotic Ants Nesting in Red Mangroves of Jamaica

Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) grow in and adjacent to shallow brackish water in subtropical and tropical estuaries around the world, and provide a unique arboreal habitat, often completely isolated by water from any terrestrial habitat. I surveyed ants nesting in the dead hollow vegetation, including twigs, small branches, air roots, and prop roots, of red mangroves at 30 sites around Kingston Harbour and neighboring areas along the southeastern coast of Jamaica. I collected 18 ant species (13 native and 5 Old World exotics), including three Jamaican endemics (Camponotus fugax, Cephalotes jamaicensis, and Crematogaster vicina). The most common species in the 221 samples were three native species: Crematogaster steinheili (21 sites; 64 samples), Tapinoma litorale (18 sites; 40 samples), and C. fugax (18 sites; 33 samples). The only exotic ants collected at more than one site were Monomorium floricola (13 sites; 24 samples) and Tapinoma melanocephalum (4 sites; 5 samples). The most diverse site (with eight species) was part of an enormous continuous stand of red mangrove in Salt River, within the Portland Bight Protected Area. Two Salt River sites were the only places I found the Jamaican endemic Cephalotes jamaicensis. The sites with the greatest variety of ants were relatively free of trash, including all four Salt River sites, where I collected only native ant species. However, even at sites around Kingston Harbour that were littered with large amounts of trash washed in from the sea, the red mangrove stands generally seemed healthy and harbored primarily native Jamaican ants. Protecting red mangroves in Jamaica will help conserve native Jamaican species living in this unique habitat.

Isolation and identification of PAH degrading bacteria from Jamaican Soil, Landfill Leachate, Kingston Harbour: Water and sediment samples

Hydrophobic pollutants have become widely distributed across the world. From an agricultural perspective, their accumulation in crops from contaminated soil threatens food security and quality, leading to many diseases in humans. The Cucurbitaceae family can accumulate high concentrations of hydrophobic pollutants in their aerial parts. The Cucurbitaceae family contains major latex-like proteins (MLPs) as transporting factors for hydrophobic pollutants. MLP genes are expressed in the roots in which the MLPs bind hydrophobic pollutants. MLPs transport these hydrophobic pollutants to the aerial parts of the plant through the xylem vessels. As a result, hydrophobic pollutant contamination occurs in the Cucurbitaceae family. In this study, we suppressed the expression of MLP genes in the roots and reduced the amounts of MLPs with pesticide treatments. First, the fungicides Benlate and Daconil that deceased the hydrophobic pollutant, perylene, concentration in the xylem sap of zucchini plants were selected. Daconil suppressed the transcription activity of MLP in the roots. In the Daconil treatment, the amount of MLPs in the roots and xylem sap of zucchini plants was decreased, and the concentrations of the hydrophobic pollutants, pyrene and dieldrin, were significantly decreased. Our research contributes to the production of safer crops.

Bioaccumulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Atlantic Sea Bream (Archosargus rhomboidalis) from Kingston Harbour, Jamaica.

Multiple sizes of Sea bream were collected from Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, to assess steady state bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a tropical fish. Sea beam fork lengths ranged from 7.3 to 21.5cm (n = 36 fish) and tissue lipids decreased with body length. Larger fish had lower δ13C isotopes compared to smaller fish, suggesting a change in diet. Linear regressions showed no differences in lipid equivalent sum PCB concentrations with size. However, differences in individual congener bioaccumulation trajectories occurred. Less hydrophobic PCBs decreased with increasing body length, intermediate PCBs showed no trend, whereas highly hydrophobic (above log KOW of 6.5) PCBs increased. The different congener patterns were interpreted to be a result of decreases in overall diet PCB concentrations with increased fish length coupled with differences in PCB toxicokinetics as a function of hydrophobicity yielding dilution, pseudo-steady state and non-steady state bioaccumulation patterns.

Sucesión primaria de una comunidad de coral y algas en el nuevo sustrato vertical en el Cayo de Rackham, Puerto Royal, Jamaica

Jamaica's trans-shipment industry is amongst the largest in the Caribbean with 90% of trans-shipment activities occurring in Kingston Harbour. The eastern ship channel is populated with patch and fringing coral reefs. In 2002, approximately 20% of an originally sloping face of Rackham's Cay, on the southern edge of the channel, was cut vertically to 18m and dredged to widen the channel. The successional changes on the newly created vertical limestone wall was assessed between 2009 and 2012 at 5m, 10m and 15m depths using bi-annual photographs of fixed 1 m 2 quadrats. Photographs were analyzed using Coral Point Count. No colonization of either algal or coralline species was observed at 15m. Initially calcareous and fleshy algae dominated at 5m but showed a gradual decrease over time. Calcareous algae dominated at 10m and increaseed gradually over the 4 years. Stony corals at both 5m and 10m had overall low cover and slow colonization; the shallower depth had more coverage (4.1% maximum in 2011). Siderastrea sidera -which dominated Rackham's Cay before dredging- was consistently present in low coverage. Colonization by species of Acropora and Scolymia indicate slower but better succession at 10m. Ten years following dredging activities, colonization and recruitment have been slow but successful at 5m and 10m; species previously described as abundant lead the colonization. We recommend limiting coral relocation activities to depths not exceeding 10m. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 3): 107-114. Epub 2014 September 01.

Reevaluación rápida del estado de eutrofización del puerto de Kingston, Jamaica utilizando la comunidad de zooplancton

Previous extensive studies of zooplankton distribution in the eutrophic Kingston Harbour established that it was being continuously contaminated. We assessed the community in 2011, 17 years after a previous study and five years after the introduction of a tertiary waste water system. Sampling was conducted for four weeks at eight stations identical to those sampled in a previous study. We used horizontal surface tows with a 200µm net. A total of 73 zooplankton taxa were identified and copepods dominated with 20 species. Mean total abundances were high, ranging from a minimum of 2 383 animals m-3 in the southern region of Hunts Bay to 194 166 animals m-3at the Inner Harbour. Five zooplankton taxa (Acartia tonsa, Paracalanus spp., Temora turbinata, Penilia avirostris and Lucifer faxoni) that were previously identified as indicators, were again important in the Harbour. The overall zooplankton abundances were similar and in some cases higher than the previous study. There was no significant improvement in the water quality since the introduction of the treatment system at Soapberry. This may be a result of unknown nutrient inputs or of nutrient remaining in the sediments. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 3): 231-239. Epub 2014 September 01.

Evaluación de la calidad de las aguas de la Bahía de Kingston y la costa Hellshire, Jamaica, después de la implementación de una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales

Deteriorating water quality of Kingston Harbour, due primarily to sewage discharge and its effect on nearby Hellshire Coast, has been an issue since the 1970s. The implementation of a new sewage treatment facility in 2007 to receive the harbour’s waste at Soapberry was expected to make a positive difference. Physico-chemical and biological parameters were used to assess water quality to determine the effect of the facility. Eleven stations used in earlier studies (1990 to 1998) were re-sampled to represent Kingston, Hunts Bay and North East Hellshire coastline over a four week sampling regime between May and June 2011. While temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH remained unchanged between the 1990’s and 2011, BOD5, faecal coliform and nitrate concentrations indicated that the water quality had improved minimally in Kinsgton and Hellshire,and deteriorated significantly in Hunts. Phytoplankton biomass decreased in Kingston (from 3.84 mg m-3 in 1998 to 2.81 mg m-3 in 2011) and increased significantly in Hunts (from 14.69 mg m-3 in 1998 to 24.17 mg m-3in 2011). Biomass along Hellshire was similar (2.15 mg m-3 in 1998; 2.45 mg m-3 in 2011). In 1998 the nanoplankton biomass (2.7 to 20μm) dominated throughout the Harbour. In 2011 Hunts Bay was dominated by net-plankton (>20μm), indicative of eutrophic waters. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 3): 241-248. Epub 2014 September 01.

Comunidades planctónicas de la costa sudoriental jamaiquina; una comparación de puerto, estante y áreas oceánicas

Few studies have compared water quality and plankton along the eutrophication gradient from Kingston Harbour to oceanic waters around Jamaica. To compare the planktonic community along the expected nutrient gradient, we sampled every two weeks at four stations, from eutrophic Kingston Harbour to oceanic California Bank. Phytoplankton was assessed from whole water Niskin bottle casts and zooplankton by vertical hauls with plankton nets of three different mesh sizes: 64µm, 200µm, and 600µm. Total phytoplankton biomass declined sharply away from the harbour (1.0 μg L-1 at the Harbour Shoal Beacon to 0.2 μg L-1 at California Bank). Characteristic estuarine phytoplankton genera -such as Ceratium, Gonyaulax, Gyrodinium and Rhizosolenia- dominated harbour samples while genera characteristic of offshore locations -such as Asterionelliopsis, Navicula, Nitzschia, Rhizosolenia and Thalassionema- dominated California Bank. Highest phytoplankton densities (mean values of 34 174 cells L-1) were found at the harbor mouth. Mean zooplankton abundances ranged from maximum (5 858.5m-3) at Beacon to minimum (2 124.2 m-3) at California; 171 species of zooplankton were identified and copepods dominated with 76 species. Overall, 75 species of zooplankton were identified from Beacon, 107 from Port Royal Cays- South East Cay, 110 from the exposed shelf edge- Windward Edge, and 95 from the oceanic California Bank. Larval forms dominated; copepod nauplii, fish eggs and echinoderm larvae occurred at all sites. Lucifer faxoni and Penilia avirostris were indicative of harbor waters and Microsetella sp. and Farranula carinata of offshore waters. Some zooplankton taxa, like L. faxoni, Paracalanus parvus and copepod nauplii, despite showing gradual decline with distance from Beacon to the Edge, increased in abundance at the furthest station, California. California Bank clearly experiences enrichment which at times can be as high as near-shore areas, but the planktonic community is unique and similar only to those at other offshore station. To be reliable, characterization of water masses must involve a range of physicochemical and biological parameters. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 3): 259-272. Epub 2014 September 01.

A new comparative study of zooplankton from oceanic, shelf and harbour waters, south-east coast, Jamaica

Zooplankton samples were collected fortnightly from four locations representing oceanic, shelf and harbour waters off Kingston, Jamaica in 2004, approximately 40 years after a similar study was concluded in 1964. The present sampling was conducted using vertical hauls with plankton nets of three different mesh sizes: 64, 200 and 600 μm between April and November 2004. Mean zooplankton abundances across the stations ranged from a maximum (5,858.5 individuals m−3) at Harbour Shoal Beacon, mouth of Kingston Harbour, to a minimum (2,124.2 individuals m−3) at California Bank, an offshore bank. One hundred forty-seven different taxa of zooplankton were identified during this study. Eighty-one taxa were identified from Harbour Shoal Beacon (HSB), 106 from South-East Cay (SEC), 114 from the shelf-edge station, called Windward Edge (WE), and 94 from California Bank (CB). The pattern obtained from the clustering of stations using percent similarity coefficient (PSC) and Jaccard community coefficient (JCC) showed the presence of two distinct groups of stations: one with HSB and the other containing all other stations. The abundance of individual species was also examined for their potential to characterize the different water masses. As found 40 years ago, Lucifer faxoni and Penilia avirostris were indicators of eutrophic Kingston Harbour waters, while Microsetella norvegica and Farranula carinata were identified as indicators of offshore waters. Zooplankton parameters across the area clearly distinguished the eutrophic Kingston Harbour waters from the shelf and offshore sites but could not differentiate between the mesotrophic shelf and the offshore bank. Larval forms were numerically dominant across all stations with copepod nauplii, fish eggs and echinoderm larvae being major constituents. The zooplankton communities in the harbour, shelf and offshore areas of Jamaica's south-east coast still show significant spatial differences; however, the zooplankton community at the offshore bank was more similar to the shelf than was expected. Such banks although located offshore, receive enrichment due to associated circulation patterns. Therefore, they should not be considered oligotrophic and based on the zooplankton community distribution would be more accurately classified as mesotrophic.

Public health risks posed by the invasive Indo-Pacific green mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Kingston Harbour, Jamaica

The control strategies for any marine invasive species that is edible may include their use as food for human consumption. The potential and realized use of the invasive Indo-Pacific green mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) for food in Jamaica, from wild populations in Kingston Harbour, underscored the importance of investigating the potential public health risks to consumers from mussels fished from different areas of Kingston Harbour. Levels of bacterial coliforms and heavy metals were examined during this investigation due to the nature of pollutants already documented in Kingston Harbour. Bacterial coliforms showed high levels (15 – >16,000 MPN/100mL) at five stations during the investigation, with the highest values at the station located adjacent to the Hunts Bay Power station (HBPS). Heavy metals, especially chromium and cadmium were also high (43.3–70.3 mg/kg (chromium) and 17–60 mg/kg (cadmium)), with highest value at the station GC (Goodbody’s Channel) for chromium and Station DT (Kingston Waterfront) for cadmium. The risks to public health through consumption of these green mussels, Perna viridis from Kingston Harbour are significant. If consumption of wild populations from Kingston Harbour is to be promoted to reduce the population number of this invasive species, then depuration of the mussels prior to consumption should be carried out.

Variation in the Colonization of Artificial Substrates by Mangrove Root Fouling Species of the Port Royal Mangrove Lagoons in the Eutrophic Kingston Harbour, Jamaica

The aim of this study was to investigate temporal changes in mangrove root fouling species settled on artificial substrates in the mangrove zone of the Port Royal lagoons and to determine the effect of stress as part of a larger project to determine appropriate indicators of eutrophication in mangrove lagoons. Five Perspex? panels were suspended in the prop root zone at five contrasting stations within the Port Royal mangroves and the fouling organisms were monitored fortnightly using underwater digital photography. Nine taxonomic categories of epibionts were recorded of which the most prevalent group was the ascidians. Barnacles and hydroids were initially found to have established on the artificial substrates at all stations but were quickly replaced by ascidians and bryozoans at most. Species composition was similar between all stations by the end of the study, however, the dominant taxa were different. Sheltered lagoons like Fort Rocky lagoon (north and south) had a clear dominance of non-shelled species (ascidians and polychaetes) by the end of the study, while molluscs- bivalves and barnacles dominated Hurricane Refuge lagoon. This station, deemed to be experiencing greatest stress due to exposure to the eutrophic Kingston Harbour, also had the greatest proportion of shelled taxa represented in the epibiont biomass at the end of the study. Differences in biomass and species composition of root fouling species can therefore be used to indicate water quality in the mangrove lagoons.

Environmental effects on coral growth and recruitment in the Caribbean

Knowledge about factors that are important in coral reef growth help us to understand how reef ecosystems react following major anthropogenic and environmental disturbances. In addition, they may help the industry understand how aquarists can improve the health of their corals. I have studied environmental and climate effects on corals on fringing reefs in Jamaica. Radial growth rates (mm/yr) of non-branching corals calculated on an annual basis from 2000–2008 showed few significant differences either spatially or temporally along the north coast, although growth rates tended to be higher on reefs of higher rugosity and lower macroalgal cover. I have also reconstructed recruitment patterns, using growth modelling, for non-branching corals at sites on the north coast of Jamaica near Discovery Bay, and near Kingston Harbour, on the south coast. For all the sites, recruitment of non-branching corals was lowered due to hurricanes or severe storms. For 1560 non-branching corals at sites along the north coast of Jamaica, from Rio Bueno to Pear Tree, there was a significant difference in estimated coral recruitment in years when there were no storms or hurricanes by comparison to years when storms and hurricanes impacted the area. For 347 non-branching corals at sites in the Port Royal Cays on the south coast, there was a significant difference in estimated coral recruitment in years when there were no storms or hurricanes by comparison to years when storms and hurricanes impacted the area. Interestingly, recruitment of Siderastrea siderea on to the side of the ship channel at Rackham's Cay (~100 m from the path taken by large ships) outside Kingston Harbour had been consistent since its construction. These findings have important implications for better understanding the impacts of tropical storms on coral reefs and for aquarists to better maintain coral reef species in artificial environments.

Geoscientists Without Borders offers safe harbor

Question: Where is the seventh largest natural harbor on Earth? Answer: Kingston Harbor, Kingston, Jamaica, where the newest Geoscientists Without Borders (GWB) project has the potential to make a real impact on the safety of thousands of people.

The first description of the potentially toxic dinoflagellate, Alexandrium minutum in Hunts Bay, Kingston Harbour, Jamaica

The occurrence and morphology of the potentially toxic dinoflagellate species Alexandrium minutum found for the first time in Jamaica, were examined and described by light and scanning electron microscopy. Classical morphological examinations of whole cells, the thecal plate pattern of intact cells and more importantly the structure of individual thecal plates of squashed cells, were conducted in an attempt to positively identify the species. Characteristics such as a tear-drop shaped apical pore plate with a comma-shaped apical pore and no anterior attachment pore; a narrow sixth precingular plate; a narrow anterior sulcal plate longer than or approximately as long as it is wide; and a posterior sulcal plate wider than long, confirmed the Jamaican species as A. minutum. This dinoflagellate which produces potent neurotoxins responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in humans in many parts of the World, as well as mass mortality of various marine flora and fauna, was identified in water samples collected during an extensive bloom of the species in the brackish to saline water body of Hunts Bay, an estuarine arm of Kingston Harbour, Jamaica in August 1994. The highest cell concentration was 4.6 × 10 5 cells l −1, a concentration which far exceeds acceptable concentrations (<10 3 cells l −1) of PSP-toxin producing A. minutum in several countries including: Spain and Denmark. No PSP human symptoms were reported during the bloom; however it was accompanied by a large kill of small pelagic fish extending across a third of the bay. Since then, smaller blooms of A. minutum have occurred with the most recent in February and April 2004. Hunts Bay is an important fishing, shrimping and to some extent oyster/mussel collection area and provides an important source of livelihood and food for many fishermen in nearby fishing communities as well as an important source of food for members of other communities. Although there are no known records of human illness due to PSP in Jamaica, the occurrence and blooming in Jamaican waters of this potentially toxic dinoflagellate, is great cause for concern.

Transplantation of benthic species to mitigate impacts of coastal development in Jamaica.

Maintaining regional competitiveness and economic viability for Port Bustamante - Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, required improved accessibility to "Post Panamax" (too large to pass through the Panama Canal) container vessels. Removal of the northern portion of the shallow coral reef at Rackham's Cay, which was partially obstructing the western end of the east ship channel, was proposed. This aesthetically valuable reef was used by local fishermen and comprises part of the declared Palisadoes - Port Royal Protected Area. The proposal to transplant certain of the benthic species was advanced to mitigate loss of viable reef components. Between December 2001 and February 2002, sixty thousand items, consisting of reef building massive and branching corals; gorgonians; urchins (Diadema and Tripneustes spp.) and Thalassia meristems were relocated. During dredging, sedimentation rates from suspended solids in the water column were 0.003 g/cm(2)/day at the control site and 0.008 g/cm(2)/day at the dredge site. Coral cover in the relocation area increased from 15% to 20% while bare substrate decreased from 27% to 21%. This paper documents the mitigation required; some factors controlling the ecology of Rackham's Cay reef, the methodology of the relocation process; and the level of post-dredging survivorship of relocated corals. Political and economic realities of some proposed developments often override ecological considerations. Transplantation of important marine benthic species although time consuming, technically challenging, and expensive, may be one way for developers and ecologists to achieve sometimes disparate goals. This project cost US$1.7 million. The "items" moved were neither unique nor endemic and remain vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic impacts. This project increased public awareness and interest regarding the ecological and economic importance of reef ecosystems. It is anticipated that future coastal and inland developments will benefit from the lessons taught by these mitigative interventions.

Trace elements in marine birds, arctic hare and ringed seals breeding near Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, Canada

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Production of Penilia avirostris in Kingston Harbour, Jamaica

The cladoceran Penilia avirostris is one of the more abundant and widespread members of the crustacean zooplankton in nearshore tropical and subtropical waters. Its abundance, biomass, fecundity, development rate and production were estimated in Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, during an 18 month period. Mean annual abundance of Penilia was 1821 m -3 , while biomass (excluding eggs/embryos) was 2.87 mg ash-free dry-weight (AFDW) m -3 (43.1 mg AFDW m -2 ), accounting for 13% of the copepod community biomass. Fecundity increased with body size. There was no clear seasonal pattern of abundance, size or fecundity, nor were physical or biological variables correlated to these variations. Development time averaged 20.5 h for juveniles and 41.4 h for adult females during incubations; there was no clear evidence of a diel pattern to molting. Growth rate appeared to be exponential, with corresponding somatic growth rates, averaging 0.27 day -1 for juveniles, and 0.34 day -1 for somatic plus reproductive growth in adult females. Annual production was estimated as 173 kJ m -2 year -1 , ∼10% that of the copepod community. Penilia avirostris production was similar to the third most productive copepod species. The importance of this species in tropical coastal waters would appear to be under-appreciated.