Taxonomy, distribution and aspects of the biology of some deep-living copepods in B.C. inlets and adjacent water

• Main Author: Koeller, Peter Arthur
• Other Authors: Littlepage, Jack L.
• Format: Others
• Language: English; en
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Spinocalanus brevicaudatus; Scaphocalanus brevicornis; Heterorhabdus tanneri; Jervis Inlet; Bute Inlet; British Columbia; Strait of Georgia; vertical distribution; Calanus glacialis; Metridia pacifica; copepod
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1828/12650

The bathypelagic copepods Spinocalanus brevicaudatus, Scaphocalanus brevicornis and Heterorhabdus tanneri have established relatively large, permanent breeding populations in Bute and Jervis Inlet, British Columbia. They are found only rarely in the shallower Strait of Georgia. The preference shown by Spinocalanus brevicaudatus and Scaphocalanus brevicornis was attributed to the deep living habits of breeding adults. The reason for H. tanneri's preference of deep water was not apparent from the distribution study. Two general patterns of vertical distribution were seen among the calanoid capepods in the inlets. The common interzonal species such as Calanus glacialis preferred a definite depth interval near mid-water. The deep-living species such as Spinocalanus brevicaudatus were found throughout the water column below the thermocline, in about equal numbers. Maximum numbers usually occurred in the depth interval immediately below the thermocline. Only females of Metridia pacifica showed a strong diurnal migration pattern in July. This migration became less intense near the head of Bute Inlet. The vertical distribution and migration patterns of Spinocalanus brevicaudatus, Scaphocalanus brevicornis and H. tanneri appeared to increase the chances of secual encounters in these relativelyt rare species. The interzonal and deep-living species showed contrasting life-histories. The interzonal species exhibited a well-defined breeding season, with adults maturing in the winter, and young appearing in the spring. The deep-living species did not show a yearly breeding cycle. Females dominated the population at all times of year, and a relatively small percentage of males and females were always present. A reduction in the male:female sex ratio occurred during or after the last moult in Spinocalanus brevicaudatus and Scaphocalanus brevicornis. In the animals the male has reduced mouth parts and probably dies soon after mating. H. tanneri males do not have reduced mouth parts. This species had a sex ratio close to unity at all times. An increase in total copepod numbers was observed with increasing distance from the head of Bute Inlet. An increase in the percentage of juveniles in the population of most species was also observed with increasing distance from the inlet head. Spinccalanus brevicaudctus, Scaphocalanus brevicornis and H. tanneri are redescribed. Comantenna columbiae is described for the first time. === Graduate