THE COPEPOD COMMUNITY AT PROVIDENCE AND SANTA CATALINA ISLANDS (COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN), DURING A RAINY SEASON (OCTOBER) 2005

Abstract

In order to contribute to the zooplanktonic community knowledge, particularly the Copepoda subclass at Providence and Santa Catalina Islands (Colombian Caribbean), 47 zooplankton samples got in October 2005 (rainy season) were analyzed. 42 species from Calanoida, Poecilostomatoida, Cyclopoida, Harpacticoida and Siphonostomatoida orders were found. Clausocalanus arcuicornis, C. furcatus, Calocalanus pavo, C. contractus, Pontella securifer, Lucicutia !avicornis, Subeucalanus mucronatus, Rhincalanus cornutus, Paracalanus sewelli, Centropages bradyi, Acartia tonsa, Lubbockia squillimana, Saphirella tropica, Euterpina sp. and Caligus sp., were new records for the islands. The Caribbean Equatorial Current circulation, Wilma and Beta Hurricanes passing through the Colombian Caribbean and continental runoff on the west side of the island, were the principal factors affecting copepod abundances and spatial distribution.