| ABSTRACT Copepods are the most numerous group of zooplankton in tropical coastal systems; they are mainly affected by salinity gradients, as occurs in the eastern sector of the Gulf of Cariaco. This study purposed to study the temporal and spatial variations in the structure of the copepod community during June, July, August, and September 2009 (rainy season) and October, November, and December 2009 and January 2010 (dry season). Samples were collected with a standard 60 cm diameter zooplankton net with a 330 μm mesh at the surface level. Temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were taken in situ with a multi-parameter probe (YSI). Salinity presented a marked monthly variability, with values between 32.5 ± 1.56 and 38.5 ± 0.25 UPS in the rainy and dry... |
