Interannual variability in population dynamics of calanoid copepods in the Central Baltic Sea

Interannual dynamics (1959-1999) of calanoid copepods Pseudocalanus elongatus, Temora longicornis and Acartia spp. in the Central Baltic Sea are described for dif­ferent life-stages. Using principal component (PCA) and correlation analysis the asso­ciation of the stage-specific abundance to salinity and temperature was investigated. P. elongatus dynamics were related to high salinities in spring favouring maturation and reproduction. Additionally, low temperatures appear to be favourable for repro­duction, whereas intermediate copepodite stages were positively correlated to tem­perature. T. longicornis and Acartia spp. life-stages were consistently associated with higher temperatures in spring. Furthermore, there are indications that T. longicornis maturation and reproductive success in summer is affected by salinity levels similarly to P. elongatus.

Article from Marine Science Symposia Vol. 219 - "Hydrobiological variability in the ICES Area, 1990-1999", symposium held in Edinburgh, 8-10 August 2001. To access  the remaining articles please click on the keyword "MSS Vol. 219".