Abstract
Planktonic copepod abundance and egg production rates were determined in relation to
temperature and chlorophyll concentration across a latitudinal transect in the Atlantic Ocean, ranging
from 52"s to 24ON. Copepod distribution followed a pattern similar to that of chlorophyll a, with higher
values at the southern latitudes. In contrast, egg production rates were significantly higher in the
Atlantic intertropical zone, in the vicinity of the Equator. Copepod abundance was determined mainly
by phytoplankton concentration, while rate processes (egg production rates) depended on chlorophyll
a concentration and temperature. We propose multiple regression models including these 2 factors that
explain up to 70% of the carbon specific egg production rates. The accuracy of these models versus
previous ones including only temperature is also discussed | his study was financially supported by
grant AMB94-0739 from the Spanish Interministerial Com-
mission of Science and Technology (CICYT) to S A. and
grants PN92-46651369 and EX96-46651369 from the Spanish
Ministry of Universities and Research to A.C. I