Laboratory study of the spawning rate of the calanoid copepod Centropages typicus: effect of fluctuating food concentration

Abstract

The spawning rate of laboratory-reared Centropages typicus fed Hymenomonas elongala increases with food concentration, up to a value of ˜2800 μg C (16 500 cells) ml −1 . An alternation of a low food (1000 cells ml −1 ) and high food concentration (16 500 cells ml −1 ) is not favourable to egg release when its periodicity is 1 or 2 days, whereas it may be of advantage if it is longer (3–6 days). In the latter case, Centropages typicus will benefit best from the rich food diet if this coincides with (or just follows) the last moult.