Species by Order: Calanoida

Natural History
Acartia (Acanthacartia) tonsa

Appears to be most abundant in summer in this area.

Acartia (Acartia) danae

Widespread in the California Current System.

Acartia (Acartia) negligens

Appears to be present in the springtime in this area.

Calanus pacificus

Among the more abundant copepods off Southern California.

"Biphasic" life history in Southern California; year-round reproduction in surface waters by part of the population, while another part of the population remains dormant in deeper waters through the winter.

Clausocalanus arcuicornis

Occurs off San Diego year round and can be more abundant in the spring.  Swarms have been reported off Scripps pier.

Ctenocalanus vanus

Occurs year round off San Diego and can be more abundant in winter.

Eucalanus californicus

Stores primarily triacylglycerols in a spherical oil droplet.

Labidocera trispinosa

Similar in appearance to Labidocera jollae.

 

Metridia cf. pacifica

Among the more abundant copepods off Southern California, especially in night samples over deeper water.

Paracalanus parvus

Occurs year round off San Diego. A euryhaline species, capable of tolerating a range of salt water concentrations.

Rhincalanus nasutus

Previously considered cosmpolitan, but now recognized as a complex of at least 8 genetic lineages (Goetze and Ohman 2010).  Each has a different geographic distribution, one of which is in the California Current System.

Tortanus (Boreotortanus) discaudatus

Distinctive asymmetrical cadual rami (tip of the tail region).