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Species composition and distribution patterns of the family Corycaeidae Dana, 1852 (Copepoda ; Cyclopoida) in the middle Adriatic Sea

In 1999 copepods of the family Corycaeidae were studied in channel and offshore waters of the middle Adriatic Sea. Among 12 identified taxa, Ditrichocorycaeus minimus indicus was recorded for the first time and related to the ingression of the Levantine water into the Adriatic Sea. Analysis of the corycaeid vertical distribution identified the group inhabiting the upper epipelagic zone, the second group preferring below 50 m depths and the third group occupying the whole water column. Temperature was identified as the main abiotic control of this distribution pattern. Species from the second group occurred at the shallower channel waters at the time of winter isothermia. Based on the size distribution of adult corycaeids recorded in the area, the necessity of < 200 μ m mesh for adequate sampling of small corycaeids is stated.

Adriatic Sea; abundance; copepods; corycaeids; vertical distribution

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