Seasonal dynamics of microzooplankton in the São Sebastião Channel (SP, Brazil)

Abstract

The qualitative composition, numerical abundance and seasonal distribution of microzooplankton in the São Sebastião Channel were studied in different seasonal periods. Data are presented for 43 Protozoa, 4 rotifer and 30 copepod nauplii specimens. Tintinnids represented the most abundant group within the microzooplankton community, with 31 species recorded, among which Amphorellopsis acuta, Codonellopsis morchella, Eutintinnus tenuis, Favella ehrenbergii, Leprotintinnus nodqvisti, Tintinnopsis buetschlil, T. lobiancoi and T. radix stood out, followed in abundance by copepod nauplii. Our findings indicated that water masses play a fundamental role in the seasonal composition of microzooplankton assemblages in the São Sebastião Channel.