Reproduction and feeding of Sagitta enflata in the Humboldt Current system off Chile

This study is based on 3 years (August 2002-July 2005) of monthly zooplankton sampling at a fixed station located 18 km off Coliumo Bay (36 degrees S), Chile. The reproduction of Sagitta enflata, its feeding rate, specific daily ration, and prey selectivity were analysed and related to several environmental variables: temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a concentrations, and both meso- and micro-zooplankton abundance. The main predatory activity of S. enflata was centred on the copepods Paracalanus parvus, Oithona spp., and Calanus chilensis. These three species were consumed at different rates, depending mainly on the maturity of the S. enflata population. When Stages I and II individuals dominated, predation focused on the small P. parvus and Oithona spp., whereas more mature populations (Stages III and IV) preyed selectively on C. chilensis. The mean specific daily ration of 0.1 d(-1) increased to 0.5 d(-1) before and during maturation. The reproductive phase of S. enflata was closely coupled with the abundance of nauplii, suggesting that chaetognath reproduction paralleled that of copepods, most likely to diminish the mortality of its offspring resulting from starvation. The relationships between these were included in a conceptual model and their ecological significance is discussed.