Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2012, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (6): 90-96.doi: 10.11978/j.issn.1009-5470.2012.06.014cstr: 32234.14.j.issn.1009-5470.2012.06.014

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Feeding of planktonic copepods in the Pearl River Estuary

LI Kai-zhi, TAN Ye-hui, HUANG Liang-min, YIN Jian-qiang, SONG Xing-yu, ZHANG Jian-lin   

  1. Key?Laboratory?of?Marine?Bio-resources?Sustainable?Utilization, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
  • Received:2011-03-21 Revised:2011-12-14 Online:2012-12-01 Published:2013-02-06

Abstract: Feeding type, gut pigment content and grazing impact of planktonic copepods on phytoplankton standing stock and primary production were analyzed, based on the data obtained from three cruises during July 2002, January 2003, and April 2003 in the Pearl River Estuary. According to their edge index, planktonic copepods were divided into carnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous groups. The results showed that species number of carnivorous group was higher than those of the herbivorous and omnivorous groups, but its abundance was lower than those of both herbivorous and omnivorous species. The average gut pigment content of planktonic copepod was higher in winter than in summer and spring; however, the grazing impact of planktonic copepods on phytoplankton standing stock and surface primary production was higher in summer than in spring and winter. The gut pigment content of planktonic copepods was positively correlated to chlorophyll a concentration in summer and winter, but no correlation was found in spring.

Key words: planktonic copepod, feeding type, gut pigment, grazing impact, Pearl River Estuary

CLC Number: 

  • Q958.885