Dominance-diversity relationships of the free amino acids in coastal zooplankton

• 1.

  1. Free amino acid composition is examined in six copepod species occurring along a salinity gradient that extends from the open ocean to fresh water.

• 2.

  2. Salinity accounts for half of the variation in total concentration. The remainder results from seasonal temperature change and associated variables.

• 3.

  3. Going from a marine species, through a series of three estuarine species, and finally to a fresh water representative, the basic amino acids become more important, whereas glycine, alanine and taurine decrease. The result is a comparatively uniform pattern of composition in fresh water. This relationship is expresed by an index of biochemical dominance.