Seasonal dynamics of the mysid Neomysis integer and its predation on the copepod Eurytemora affinis in a shallow hypertrophic brackish lake

Abstract

N. integer, which underwent 2 generations during the study yr, occurred in high density, the maximum being 0.8 ind. l-1 or 1250 ind. m-2. Estimated production was 2.2 g DW (dry wt) m-2 yr-1 and peaked in August at 24 mg DW m-2 d-1. The laboratory predation experiments revealed a high predation potential of E. affinis, the maximum predation rates on nauplii and copepodites + adults being 52 and 8 ind. mysid-1 h-1, respectively. The results provide further evidence that N. integer enhances eutrophication in nutrient-rich brackish lakes, ie N. integer predation on zooplankton reduces grazing pressure on the phytoplankton. -from Authors