Copepod assemblages in the northern South China Sea during inter-monsoon transition periods

We investigated the influence of permanent oceanographic features in structuring copepod assemblages in the northern South China Sea during the inter-monsoon transition periods, spring and autumn. A total of 25 families, 48 genera and 88 species, were recorded, as well as a decrease in species richness along with the seasonal temperature decrease. We show that copepod assemblages are influenced by quasi-permanent oceanographic conditions governing the Northeastern South China Sea, i.e. China Coastal Current and the Kuroshio Current intrusion. This study provides a synoptic picture of the seasonal changes in the community structure of copepods during spring and autumn in the northern South China Sea.