The role of Oithona spp. in the marine productivity of the North Atlantic basin

However, because of its small size, its ecology is not well known and its role in the ecosystem undetermined. In addition, there are strong indications of important predation by Calanus on Oithona nauplii with the potential for the nauplii to be an important prey during periods before the spring bloom.

The objectives of this proposal are: (i) to increase our knowledge in the ecology of Oithona by assessing its diet, productivity, total biomass and production; and (ii) to investigate the link between Oithona and Calanus with special emphasis on the possible consequences of a climatic shift on the size structure of the zooplankton population.