In order to characterize the zooplankton community at the Vitória Bay estuarine system (Southeastern Brazil), samples were collected in 10 sampling stations during a three-year study (1998-2000), every three months. A total of 64 taxa were identified.Copepoda contributed with the highest species number (49) in the community, especially with Acartia lilljeborgi,Acartia tonsa,Paracalanus parvus,P. quasimodo,Parvocalanus crassirostris,Temora turbinata,Oithona hebes,Oithona oculata and Euterpina acutifrons. Highest abundances occurred in the summer of 2000. Diversity indexes were higher at the estuary mouth. Zooplankton composition was characterized by coastal and estuarine species, their distribution being influenced mainly by the salinity variation in this estuarine system.
zooplankton; estuary; Copepoda; salinity; Vitoria Bay estuarine system