Production of the copepod Pseudodiaptomus forbesi is not enhanced by ingestion of the diatom Aulacoseira granulata during a bloom

Estuaries and Coasts
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Abstract

In 2016, a massive bloom of the chain-forming diatom Aulacoseira granulata occurred in the upper San Francisco Estuary, California, with chlorophyll concentrations up to 75 μg Chl L−1. In this study, quantitative PCR was used to investigate consumption of the bloom organism by the numerically dominant zooplankter Pseudodiaptomus forbesi (Copepoda: Calanoida) and to estimate the contribution of the bloom to egg production. Copepods were collected on four transects during May and June 2016; egg production rates were somewhat elevated above previous rates measured in the estuary. Ingestion of A. granulata was highest on the first sampling day, just after the peak of the bloom, ranging from 175 to 945 cells copepod−1 day−1. One month later ingestion rates dropped to 0–130 cells copepod−1 day−1, despite continued dominance of A. granulata in the plankton. Ingestion of A. granulata provided from 0 to 21% (median 1%) of the estimated daily carbon required for growth and reproduction of P. forbesi. Although the copepods probably obtained nutrition from a microbial food web stimulated by the bloom, monitoring data showed little demographic response to this bloom. Thus, a massive diatom bloom in an unproductive estuary provided only a minor stimulus through an abundant consumer to the pelagic food web.

Suggested Citation

Jungbluth, M., Lee, C., Patel, C., Ignoffo, T., Bergamaschi, B.A., and Kimmerer, W., 2020, Production of the copepod Pseudodiaptomus forbesi is not enhanced by ingestion of the diatom Aulacoseira granulata during a bloom: Estuaries and Coasts, v. 44, p. 1083-1099, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-020-00843-9.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Production of the copepod Pseudodiaptomus forbesi is not enhanced by ingestion of the diatom Aulacoseira granulata during a bloom
Series title Estuaries and Coasts
DOI 10.1007/s12237-020-00843-9
Volume 44
Publication Date October 10, 2020
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher Springer Nature
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center
Description 17 p.
First page 1083
Last page 1099
Country United States
State California
County San Francisco
Other Geospatial San Francisco Estuary
Additional publication details