Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

CS37 Zooplankton

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001, Time: 10:00:00 AM

Location: Aztec

Haskell, A, G, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA, haskell@ccpo.odu.edu

Paffenhofer, G, A, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Savannah, USA, paffenhofer@skio.peachnet.edu

Hofmann, E, E, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA, hofmann@ccpo.odu.edu

Klinck, J, M, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, USA, klinck@ccpo.odu.edu

Three-Dimensional Lagrangian Modeling Study of Epipelagic Copepod Diversity

An extraordinary diversity of copepods inhabits the tropical epipelagic environment. However, the biological and environmental mechanisms that allow this wide diversity of species to exist and co-exist are unknown. A three-dimensional individual-based model was used to investigate the mechanisms and processes that allow four species of marine zooplankton, Clausocalanus finmarchicus, Paracalanus aculeatus, Oithona plumifera, Oncaea mediterranea, that are co-dominant in the tropical ocean, to persist. The swimming and feeding behavior of the four copepod species, were parameterized based on empirical observations. Additional parameterizations in the model allowed for differential preferences and feeding on a range of phytoplankton and ciliates. Simulations of the movement of each individual copepod reproduced observed swimming and consumption values. Simulations involving multiple copepods indicate that, at the concentrations at which the four species are observed to occur in tropical waters, the amount of overlap in each ambit is small, approximately 5% or less. These studies provide insights into the swimming and feeding behavior required for each of the copepods to survive while competing for space and food resources.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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