Seasonal variation in copepod abundance in relation to other zooplanktonic groups in the northwestern Mediterranean

Abstract

Abundance of adult copepods and late copepodid stages from the upper 50 m in the Golfe du Lion (N.W. Mediterranean) was studied by the author in 1986, 1987, and 1988 for each season. Altogether 87 stations at 22 fixed locations were sampled in the frame of the multidisciplinary French/Spanish programme Pélagolion/Leopel in the near-coastal region (≤ 25 m bottom depth), the Rhone dilution zone, the neritic region (≤ 200 m bottom depth), and the oceanic region (200–2000 m bottom depth). Abundance of other zooplanktonic groups was estimated and total zooplankton biomass was determined for the upper 50 m. Copepod abundance was highest during September 1986 (all regions) and July 1987 (neritic). Total biomass was highest during July 1987 and May/June 1988, caused by high abundance of many other zooplankters.