Abstract
High numbers of copepod carcasses were found in zooplankton samples taken in the upwelling system off N.W. Africa. The validity of the measurements is discussed. It is suggested that rapid changes in the environment, caused by the pulsation of violent mesoscale upwelling at the shelf edge, result in an increased mortality in zooplankton. Considerations are made on the role of copepod detritus in the upwelling region.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Barber, R.T., R.C. Dugdale, J.J. MacIssac and R.I. Smith: Variations in phytoplankton growth associated with the source and conditioning of upwelled water. Investigación pesq. 35, 171–193 (1971)
Baturin, G.N.: On the geological consequences of mass mortality of ichthyofauna in the ocean. Oceanology 14, 80–84 (1974)
Farran, G.P.: Biscayan plankton collected during a cruise of H.M.S. Research, 1900. Pt. 14: The Copepoda. J. Linn. Soc. (Zool.) 36, 219–310 (1926)
Harding, G.C.H.: Decomposition of marine copepods. Limnol. Oceanogr. 18, 670–673 (1973)
Hempel, G. and H. Weikert: The neuston of the subtropical and boreal North-eastern Atlantic Ocean. A review. Mar. Biol. 13, 70–88 (1972)
Jacques, G., M. Fiala, J. Neveux et M. Panouse: Fertilisation de communautés phytoplanctoniques. II. Cas d'un milieu eutrophe: upwelling des côtes du Sahara Espagnol. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 24, 165–175 (1976)
Keunecke, K.-H. and M. Tomczak: Evidence of increased turbulent mixing in the coastal jet of the NW-African upwelling region. “Meteor” ForschErgebn. (Ser. A) 17, 88–98 (1976)
Khromov, N.S.: Pecularities in the distribution of some dominant copepod species in coastal zones affected by waters of the northern subtropical circulation of the Atlantic Ocean. [In Russ.] Trudy vses. nauchno-issled. Inst. morsk. ryb. Khoz. Okeanogr. 84, 81–112 (1973)
Mittelstaedt, E.: On the currents along the Northwest African coast south of 22° North. Dt. hydrogr. Z. 29, 97–117 (1976)
Peters, H.: The spreading of the water masses of the Banc d'Arguin in the upwelling area off the northern Mauritanian coast. “Meteor” ForschErgebn. (Ser. A) 18, 78–100 (1976)
Shaffer, G.: A mesoscale study of coastal upwelling variability off NW-Africa. “Meteor” ForschErgebn. (Ser. A) 17, 21–72 (1976)
Steele, J.H.: The structure of marine ecosystems, 128 pp. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press 1974
Thiel, H.: The size structure of deep-sea benthos. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 60, 575–606 (1975)
Thiel, H. Benthos in upwelling regions. (In preparation)
Tomczak, M.: An investigation into the occurrence and development of cold water patches in the upwelling region off N.W. Africa (Roßbreiten-Expedition 1970). “Meteor” ForschErgebn. (Ser. A) 13, 1–42 (1973)
— and G. Miosga: The sea surface temperature as detected by airborne radiometer in the upwelling region off Cap Blanc, NW-Africa. “Meteor” ForschErgebn. (Ser. A) 17, 1–20 (1976)
Weikert, H.: Distribution and occurrence of pontellids (Copepoda, Calanoida) in the Central and South Atlantic Ocean. Ber. dt. wiss. Kommn Meeresforsch. 24, 134–150 (1975)
Wheeler, E.H.: Copepod detritus in the deep sea. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12, 697–701 (1967)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by O. Kinne, Hamburg
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Weikert, H. Copepod carcasses in the upwelling region south of cap blanc, N.W. Africa. Mar. Biol. 42, 351–355 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402197
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402197