Integral Indicators of Variability of Arctodiaptomus salinus (Daday, 1885) (Copepoda, Diaptomidae) and Their Possible Use in Assessing the Population State

Abstract

The intrapopulation morphometric variability of the widespread species Arctodiaptomus salinus (Daday, 1885) has been studied in different water bodies of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. The authors evaluate the effect of temperature, salinity, and population density; estimate the integral characteristics of the variability levels and connectivity of morphometric parameters; and discuss the possibility of using these integral characteristics for diagnostics of the planktonic-crustacean population status.