Seasonal Variation in Diel Production Pattern of Centropages tenuiremis in Xiamen Waters, China

The seasonal variations in diel production pattern, and egg hatching time of the copepod Centropages tenuiremis in Xiamen waters, China, were investigated between January and June of 2003. The results show that in the winter–spring (January to early May) the adult females tended to lay subitaneous eggs at night, while in the beginning of summer (late May–June) they tended to lay diapause eggs as well as subitaneous eggs during the daytime. The egg hatching time negatively correlated with water temperature. These results, combined with the fact that C. tenuiremis migrates vertically in Xiamen waters, may explain the reproductive strategy of this dominant species in winter–spring.