Lipid unsaturation correlates with population dynamics of the copepod Platychelipus littoralis in intertidal mudflats
Herman, I.; Martin, B.; Vigliano Relva, J.; Vafeiadou, A.-M.; De Troch, M. (2026). Lipid unsaturation correlates with population dynamics of the copepod Platychelipus littoralis in intertidal mudflats. Est., Coast. and Shelf Sci. 329: 109691. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2025.109691
In: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. Academic Press: London; New York. ISSN 0272-7714; e-ISSN 1096-0015
This study provides a one-year baseline dataset for the copepod species Platychelipus littoralis, one of the most abundant benthic copepods inhabiting intertidal mudflats in Western Europe. As a key member of the meiofaunal community, P. littoralis plays an essential role in the estuarine and coastal mudflat ecosystems, particularly through its interactions with microphytobenthos at the base of the food web. This study aims to track seasonal dynamics in the intertidal copepod community and identify key drivers of population abundance for this harpacticoid species. Absolute fatty acid concentrations and unsaturation of P. littoralis were maximal in winter and lowest in summer. The copepods’ fatty acids match the homeoviscous thermal adaptation response of diatoms as their main food source. Rather unusual for copepods, P. littoralis primarily reproduced in winter, with the number of egg-carrying females doubling and egg sacs being 50 % larger compared to summer. We hypothesized that this reproductive strategy maximalizes egg production by aligning with the seasonal availability of diatom-derived polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) during the colder winter months. During winter diatom blooms, P. littoralis reached up to 25 % of total copepod population abundance, with local variability driven by the mudflat patchiness. Its reproductive success appears to be indirectly temperature-dependent, suggesting a high vulnerability to rising seawater temperatures predicted under climate change scenarios. Given its large geographical range, its temperature sensitivity as a winter breeder, and close association with diatom fatty acid unsaturation, the species shows strong potential as an indicator species for climate change monitoring.
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