The effect of warm temperatures on hatching success of the marine planktonic copepod, Calanus finmarchicus

Abstract

A northward shift in distribution of the subarctic copepod, Calanus finmarchicus is associated with climate-forced warming. We conducted experiments to measure hatching success (HS) of C. finmarchicus eggs at temperatures ranging from 6 to 26°C. HS is not significantly decreased by exposure to temperatures up to 19°C. HS dropped to <25% by 22°C; no eggs hatched at higher temperatures. These results have ecological significance for the Gulf of Maine, at the southern margin of the species' range.