Seasonal variability drives differences in the structure of the calanoid copepod community in two contrasting regions of the Gulf of Mexico

Calanoid copepods (CC) are key contributors to the biological carbon pump and pelagic trophic dynamics. The deep-water regions of Perdido and the Bay of Campeche in the western and southern Gulf of Mexico (GM), respectively, differ in hydrography and productivity, leading to potential differences in copepod biomass and community structure. Zooplankton (0-200 m) were collected from the shelf edge to the deep-water region during the winter and summer autumn 2016. Calanoids contributed 38-60% of total zooplankton biomass and 55-70% of overall copepod abundance. The Bay of Campeche had the highest total zooplankton biovolume (287±120 ml 1000 m-3) and total mean copepod abundance (CC and non-calanoids ~146,000 ind. 1000 m-3) during summer-autumn, likely resulting from cross-shelf nutrient transport fueling local productivity. Adult females dominated calanoid numerical abundance (43-50%), thus suggesting a high reproductive potential. Cluster analysis showed differences between seasons (~40% ..., Sampling with bongo nets in the southern and western Gulf of Mexico's deep-water region during two seasons. Zooplankton samples as described in paper. , , # Seasonal variability drives differences in the structure of the calanoid copepod community in two contrasting regions of the Gulf of Mexico

## Description of the data and file structure

Gaona-Hernández, A., Suárez-Morales, E. Linacre, L., Compaire J.C., Lara-Lara, R., and S.Z. Herzka*

*Corresponding author ()

File contains the information obtained during the processing of zooplankton samples and calanoid copepod (CC) community analysis of samples from Perdido and Bay of Campeche during two \"Malla Fina\" cruises held in the Gulf of Mexico in 2016.

The xlsx file contains the following tabs:                                                  

**Description** contains a list with detailed information for all variables, including units.                                                                               

**Zoo_all** contains the settlement volume and abundance estimations.                                                                                

**Taxonomic list** c...