Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

DOI

10.1093/icesjms/fsm193

Publication Title

ICES: Journal of Marine Science

Volume

65

Issue

3

Pages

379-398

Abstract

We used a stochastic Lagrangian model to study how behaviour contributes to copepod grazing success. The model simulates distinct foraging behaviours of Clausocalanus furcatus, Paracalanus aculeatus, and Oithona plumifera. Three sets of simulations were performed to investigate the effects of (a) prey-size preference; (b) variation in prey-size spectra; and (c) turbulence intensity on these species’ grazing rates. The size preference simulations demonstrate that, compared with copepodites, mature females have cell ingestion rates that are an order of magnitude lower, while carbon uptake is reduced by 35%. A prey spectrum that is skewed towards cells ,<6 >μm promotes copepodite success because the basal metabolic needs of the adult females require a prey concentration of 850–1000 cells ml-1. Variations in turbulence intensity reveal distinct ecological niches, with stronger mixing favouring O. plumifera and stable conditions favouring C. furcatus. Differences in theoretically derived and simulated prey-encounter rates demonstrate that the hopping behaviour of O. plumifera provides an order of magnitude increase in prey encounter, whereas the feeding behaviour of C. furcatus can result in localized depletion of prey. These simulations highlight the importance of species-specific feeding behaviour in defining oceanic copepod distributions.

Rights

Web of Science; "Free full-text from publisher -- gold open access."

Original Publication Citation

Wiggert, J. D., Hofmann, E. E., & Paffenhofer, G. A. (2008). A modelling study of developmental stage and environmental variability effects on copepod foraging. ICES: Journal of Marine Science, 65(3), 379-398. doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsm193

ORCID

0000-0001-6710-4371 (Hofmann)

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