ABSTRACT: In the laboratory, we mimicked suspension of harpacticoid copepods by winter storms and measured the relative amount of neutral lipid per individual. The energy reserves of adult males decreased significantly after only 2 d of suspension. The energy reserves of adult females could not be shown to decrease even after 3 d of suspension. As storms lasting 2 to 3 d are common at the northern Gulf of Mexico study site (29* 40.63' N, 84*22.80'W), an energetic cost of suspension for adult male harpacticoids should be incorporated into explanations of the effects of winter storms.

KEY WORDS: Harpacticoids . Storms . Suspension . Shelf . Benthos

Published in MEPS Vol. 125 (1995) on September 14
ISSN: 0171-8630. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1995