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Vertical distributions of large ontogenetically migrating copepods in the Oyashio region during their growing season

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Abstract

Neocalanus flemingeri, Neocalanus plumchrus, Neocalanus cristatus and Eucalanus bungii are large and dominant mesozooplankton occurring throughout the subarctic Pacific. They are an important trophic link and transporter of organic matter to the mesopelagic zone. Vertical distributions of these copepods were investigated from March to October 2000 in the Oyashio region of the western subarctic Pacific. Neocalanus plumchrus and N. flemingeri were distributed in the surface layer (0–50 m) and N. cristatus and E. bungii in the subsurface layer (50–100 m). However, when examined in detail, clear seasonal and vertical differences were observed. Neocalanus plumchrus was concentrated in the top 20 m from late April to the end of July, and N. flemingeri showed a little deeper distribution from May to July. Neocalanus cristatus showed a deeper distribution than that of grazing individuals of E. bungii from April to early July, but grazing individuals of E. bungii (C3–C6) showed a deeper distribution than that of N. cristatus from the end of July to October. Early copepodites of E. bungii were distributed much shallower than late copepodite stages and overlapped with copepodites of N. plumchrus and N. flemingeri. These results suggest that the four species of large copepods have established habitat segregation by season, vertical distribution and food resource partitioning in the Oyashio region as well as other regions of the North Pacific.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank the captains and crews of the FRVs Tankai Maru, Hokko Maru and our colleagues onboard during the cruises. We are also grateful to Drs. C. B. Miller, M.J. Dagg, K. Takashashi and an anonymous referee for his helpful comments and discussions. Dr. S. Shimode helped with production of figures. This study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (#20241003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8564, Japan

    Atsushi Tsuda

  2. Tohoku National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, Shiogama, Miyagi, 985-0001, Japan

    Hiroaki Saito

  3. Hokkaido National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, Kushiro, Hokkaido, 085-0802, Japan

    Hiromi Kasai

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  1. Atsushi Tsuda
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Correspondence to Atsushi Tsuda.

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Tsuda, A., Saito, H. & Kasai, H. Vertical distributions of large ontogenetically migrating copepods in the Oyashio region during their growing season. J Oceanogr 70, 123–132 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-013-0214-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-013-0214-4

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