DOI: 10.5061/dryad.sbcc2frdk
title: Data from: Seasonal variability drives differences in the structure of the calanoid copepod community in two contrasting regions of the Gulf of Mexico

description: 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%
 dissimilarity) but not regions. Environmental conditions explained 22% of
 the variability in community composition; the winter assemblage was
 significantly related to oxygen concentrations, whereas the summer-autumn
 community was related to warmer conditions and higher integrated
 chlorophyll-a concentrations. The CC community responded to seasonal
 changes more than regionally related hydrographic differences, with likely
 implications for organic matter cycling and export.
description: 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. 
description: # 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** contains the classification of registered species in alphabetical order and their corresponding taxonomic authority.                                                          **CC_community** contains the data obtained during the taxonomic identification.                                                                            **CC biomass** includes the settlement volume (SV) and calculations for displacement volume (DV) and organic carbon biomass.                          **Oceano_vars** contains the environmental measurements considered during the analysis.