Zooplankton dynamics in the northern Benguela ecosystem,with special reference to the copepod Calanoides carinatus

Main features of the zooplankton distribution and the ecological characteristics of the dominant species in the northern Benguela during different phases of upwelling are discussed. The composition of the zooplankton between 17 and 27°S was similar each year. Among the 20°30 most abundant species, 3°4 copepods dominated, influencing the distribution of total zooplankton biomass. During quiescent upwelling, zooplankton abundance was low and there were no significant differences in the inshore-offshore distribution of zooplankton biomass, the maximum occurring over the slope. During active upwelling, zooplankton biomass increased significantly, the maximum over the shelf being constituted almost entirely of developmental stages of herbivorous copepods. Over the inner shelf, all stages of the copepod Calanoides carinatus were feeding actively, removing up to 5 per cent per day of the standing stock of phytoplankton. Comparison of daily ration, respiration rate and biochemical composition of C. carinatus revealed active storage of energy inshore. Offshore populations of C. carinatus, found deeper than 200 m, comprised mainly copepodite stage V, which were not feeding and were characterized by decreased mobility and respiration and a high lipid content. It is estimated that the energy stored during active upwelling enables copepods to survive up to six months without any additional source of energy.