Dominance,frequency and species richness patterns in occurrences of calanoid copepods in Moreton Bay,Queensland

Of 66 calanoid species recorded in Moreton Bay, the 11 which were most frequent (> 50%) were also amongst the most dominant. Greatest total number of species (56) and greatest species richness (per sample) was found in the oceanic-influenced eastern Bay regions, a decrease toward western Bay estuarine-influenced regions being correlated with a salinity (and temperature) gradient. Maximum species richness in all regions occurred in autumn, seasonal amplitude of change being greatest in the eastern Bay. These data are largely explained by increasing environmental stability in .eastern Bay waters, especially with autumnal oceanic intrusion.