Zooplankton of <i>Trichodesmium</i> Phenomenon

Abstract

Zooplankton abundance has a direct relationship with Trichodesmium phenomenon. The main components of zooplankton during Trichodesmium blooms are cladocerans, copepods, decapod larvae, chaetognaths, fish eggs and larvae and appendicularians. There is a periodicity in the appearance of various groups of organisms and this seems to be repeated with the return of Trichodesmium phenomenon each year. There is no food relationship between zooplankton and Trichodesmium but the relationship is through enrichment caused by the bloom which promotes almost concurrently the growth of diatoms and dinoflagellates on which the herbivores feed. The herbivores are followed by carnivores.