The effect of size and temperature on the frequency of limb beat of Temora longicornis Müller (Crustacea : Copepoda)

Copepods normally swim by rhythmically beating the cephalic limbs, so records of antennal movements represent their activity. The limb beat rate of Temora longicornis Müller was determined in relation to several factors. There was an inverse relationship between swimming rate and body size, and activity increased with environmental temperature up to 20–25°C. Copepods readily acclimated, as those kept at 15°C were less active than those kept at 5°C. The summer population was also less active in the low temperature range, but swimming reached a higher rate at higher temperatures than were tolerated by the winter population. No difference in rate of limb beat was found between similar sized males and females over a wide range of temperatures.     

Two new genera of cyclopinid copepods (Crustacea) from anchihaline caves on western Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic islands

Troglocyclopina balearica gen nov. ap. nov. and Muceddina multispinosa gen nov. sp. nov. are described from the flooded coastal karst of the Balearic Islands, and from caves on Sardinia, the Balearics, and Lanzarote (Canaries), respectively. Both taxa seem to prefer anchihaline habitats with water salinities in excess of 18%, although Troglocyclopina has also been found in more reduced salinity cave lakes located some distance from the coast. These new taxa are the first cyclopinids to be reported from caves, all previous citations of cyclopinids from hypogean environments relate only to the marine interstitial. The small clutch-size exhibited by Troglocyclopina balearica (two eggs per sac) and the absence of the exopodal seta on the antenna at Muceddina multispinosa are interpreted as troglomorphic features, in addition to the absence of the nauplius eye and the lack of body pigmentation in both taxa. The derivation of both taxa from shallow-water, hyperbenthic marine ancestors is proposed.     

Four new species of Halicyclops Norman, 1903 (Copepoda,Cyclopoida) from Brazil

Four new species of Halicyclops are described and figured from plankton samples of the brackish waters of Pomonga River, Sergipe State (NE Brazil). The ornamentation of the median apical setae of the furcal rami is proposed as useful diagnostic character for species distinction.     

Co-occurrence patterns among Australian centropagid copepods

Summary Data sets from existing limnological surveys carried out on Australian zooplankton communities are examined, and co-occurrences of species in the centropagid copepod genera Boeckella and Calamoecia are tabulated. One experiment to determine the extent of mating errors among four species of Boeckella is performed. The data are examined with respect to the hypotheses that mating errors of similar sized copepods preclude co-occurrence and that competition for resources by similar size species preclude occurrence. It is concluded that neither hypothesis is valid, instead, that co-occurrence patterns among these Australian centropagids are a function of dispersal and colonization ability, and that zooplankton species composition in Australian lakes and ponds is probably in a state of disequilibrium.     

Functional responses of five cyprinid species to planktonic prey

Synopsis The functional responses of five species of cyprinids (Chalcalburnus chalcoides, Vimba vimba, Abramis brama, Rutilus rutilus, and Scardinius erythrophthalmus) feeding on four planktonic prey types were measured in the laboratory. Although no alternative prey types were present, the response curves were sigmoid in most cases, because attack rates were not independent of prey density. The findings are explained as being the overt expression of the fishes& foraging tactics. The chief way of maximizing food uptake, according to our interpretation, is accelerating attack rates with increasing prey density. The ability of prey to escape or relative prey size may interfere with this strategy. C. chalcoides, the only obligatory planktivore among the species studied, attacks at higher rates and responds most markedly to changes in prey density.     

On Gaussia Wolfenden (Copepoda,Calanoida, Metridinidae)

Aspects of the female genital segment with and without attached couplers and enclosed spermatophores are studied of Gaussia specimens collected in the SW Atlantic and SE Pacific. A new species found in the SW Atlantic, Gaussia asymmetrica, is proposed.     

Zooplankton associations in East African lakes spanning a wide salinity range

Abstract The zooplankton of 38 East African lakes has been analysed in terms of species richness and dominance. The conductivities of the lakes range from 48 to 72 500 µS cm^–1 20 °C. The lakes generally contain more species of rotifers than either Copepoda or Cladocera. The number of species of rotifers begins to decline at a conductivity below 1000 µS cm^–1, and falls to 2 or 3 species above 3000 µS cm^–1. Similar reductions occur in the Copepoda and Cladocera.Many species can be dominant at conductivities below 1000 µS cm^–1, but the range is restricted progressively with increasing salinity. The dominant species of Rotifera, Copepoda and Cladocera change independently along the salinity gradient, but there are indications of interactions and modifications of community structure by predation and competition.     

Les copépodes en Sri Lanka (Calanoïdes et Cyclopoïdes)

A revision of the list of Copepoda produced recently by Fernando (1980) was necessary to take in account the progress of knowledge in this field. 25 species were listed. Now, seven of them keep their name. Another one is placed in another genus. Seven mistakes were corrected. Two species are new for Science,Microcyclops elegans andThermocyclops orientalis. Two varieties of already known species are also described. Eleven species are new for Sri Lanka. Three other, noted by Fernando (1980) do not seem to exist in Sri Lanka and four were not found again in the numerous samples studied.