Production of Acartia omorii (Copepoda: Calanoida) in Ilkwang Bay, southeastern coast of Korea

Production of the marine calanoid copepod Acartia omorii was measured from 2 October 1991 to 8 October 1992 at a station in Ilkwang Bay on the southeastern coast of Korea. A. omorii (nauplii + copepodites + adults) were present in the plankton throughout the year, with seasonal variation in abundance. Biomass of A. omorii was averaged at 0.44 mgC m− 3, with peaks in February and July, and relatively low biomass in late summer and fall. Egg production rate ranged from 2.4 to 151.9 μgC m− 3 day− 1, which was equivalent to 95–6075 eggs m− 3 day− 1. Fecundity of an adult female was averaged at 38 eggs female− 1 day− 1. Instantaneous growth rates of copepodites were higher than those of nauplii stages. Annual production of A. omorii ranged from 33.5 mgC m− 3 year− 1 to 221 mgC m− 2 year− 1, showing a seasonal variation of daily production rate with peaks in February and July. The daily production rate of A. omorii was significantly correlated with chlorophyll a concentration. These results suggest that standing stocks and/or productivity of phytoplankton are the major influencing factors, rather than water temperature for the seasonal variation of production of A. omorii in Ilkwang Bay.