Distribution of the invasive calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus marinus (Sato, 1913) in the Belgian part of the North Sea

The population structure of the non-indigenous calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus marinus (Sato, 1913) in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS) is reported for the first time. Detailed P. marinus abundance data including sex and age class of the individuals was gathered on a monthly basis from February 2015 to February 2016 at six sites within the BPNS and Belgian harbors. Relevant environmental variables were analysed to identify potential drivers explaining the population structure of P. marinus within the BPNS. The abundances found were unexpectedly high, with peak densities of up to 560 ±... Mehr ...