Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

SS35 Biological and Ecological Responses to Low Oxygen in Constant and Fluctuating Environments (Spatial and Temporal Connections)

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001, Time: 11:30:00 AM

Location: La Cienega

Marcus, N, H, Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA, marcus@ocean.fsu.edu

Chasar, L, , Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA, chasar@ocean.fsu.edu

SUB-LETHAL EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA ON LIFE HISTORY TRAITS OF MARINE COPEPODS

Concern for the increasing occurrence of coastal zone hypoxia has focused on the direct, short-term impact of reduced DO levels on the survival of commercially important species. Copepods, especially the naupliar stages, are important food web components yet only a few studies have considered the effect of reduced DO levels on their mortality. This study is the first to consider the impact of sub-lethal chronic effects on copepod populations. Sub-lethal effects of hypoxia may be as important as survival rates, in terms of impact on zooplankton population sizes. We conducted experiments to assess the influence of hypoxia on copepod fecundity. Acartia tonsa were reared at saturating conditions (control) and a DO concentration of 1.0 ml/L. Egg production was significantly less (p < .05) for animals reared at 1.0 ml/L than for control animals.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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