Vertical Distributions Of Calanus-Finmarchicus And Calanus-Helgolandicus (Crustacea Copepoda)

• Published in: Marine Biology
• Main Authors: Williams, R, Conway, DVP
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1980
• Subjects: Calanus finmarchicus
• Online Access: http://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/2793/; https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00395606

The vertical distributions of the spring populations of Calanus finmarchicus (Gunnerus) and C. helgolandicus Claus are described and compared. The differences we observed between the two species have probably confused the understanding of the vertical distribution and development of the populations of Calanus spp. in the shelf seas around the United Kingdom where the species occur together. The results imply that these two congeneric species have different behaviour patterns which minimise interspecific competition where the species have sympatric distributions. C. finmarchicus has its younger development stages overlying the older stages in the water column. In C. helgolandicus the converse is true; i. e., the majority of the populations of Stage I and II copepodites of the first spring generations are found below the thermocline. It is also suggested that the different behaviour patterns lead to different feeding regimes and strategies.