PONTELLID COPEPOD OCCURRENCE IN THE CENTRAL SOUTH PACIFIC

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Abstract
The distribution of pontellid copepods collected in the central South Pacific from January to April 1962 was examined for associations with hydrographic features, particularly water temperature and salinity. Of the 15 species of adult forms collected, 5 were found in all but one case within 40 km of islands and are considered to be associated with neritic waters. These were Labidocera acuta, L. bataviae, L. pavo, Pontella denticauda, and Pontellopsis macronyx. Five other species, Pontella princeps, P. tenuiremis, P. securifer, Pontellopsis armata, and P. regalis, revealed no association with temperature or salinity within the range of values encountered for those properties, but occurred throughout the area surveyed. Pontellina plumata appeared to be affected by temperature changes, favoring waters warmer than 26.0C. Of the remaining four species, the numbers of Labidocera acutitrons, L. detruncata, and Pontellopsis villosa, were reduced where the salinity was less than 34.5‰, while Pontella fera was found to he numerous in waters with salinity lower than 34.5‰.