Twenty‐year trends of <i>Centropages typicus</i> (Copepoda, Calanoida) reproduction, feeding, population abundance and structure in the Gulf of Naples (Western Mediterranean Sea)

Centropages typicus is a temperate calanoid copepod occurring in Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal waters, where its reproductive biology population dynamics are well-known. C. has also been suggested as key species for monitoring the impact of environmental changes on secondary production. The aim this study to investigate seasonal interannual (egg production egg hatching success) feeding (fecal pellet production) traits, abundance structure (sex ratio) over 20-year period at Long-Term Ecological Research site MareChiara (LTER-MC) Gulf Naples (Central Tyrrhenian Sea, Western Sea), identifying specific trends patterns. At scale, success were tightly linked with maxima February–March, driving juvenile adult springtime peaks but showing poor correlation phytoplankton abundance, pointing an omnivorous diet. multiannual observed decrease backed up by reduction production, despite increase success. results provide new elements comprehend links between functional dynamics, factors highlight importance running LTER series monitor natural environments.