Field conditions during grazing experiments in Kaneohe Bay, HI during 2012-2013 (EAGER: Copepod nauplii project)

Environmental conditions in the field during each paired naupliar grazing and community grazing dilution experiment. Copepod nauplii can be a dominant component of the microzooplankton, and are present year-round in subtropical ecosystems. However, little is known about species-level differences in grazing rates and trophic impacts across the naupliar assemblage. Our goals were to measure ingestion by two species of mid-stage (N3-N4) copepod nauplii in a subtropical embayment, evaluate species’ differences in prey preferences, and estimate the trophic impact of naupliar grazing by each species.