Planktonic copepod compositions and their relationships with water masses in the southern Taiwan Strait during the summer upwelling period

► We have revealed two distinct station groups and two associated copepod assemblages (nearshore and offshore) based on species compositions and abundances of planktonic copepods in the southern Taiwan Strait during the summer upwelling period. ► The copepod assemblages as well as several individual species can be used as indicators for signaling different water masses. ► Indicator species, P. russelli and C. sinicus, are highly related with upwelling areas and can be used for studying upwelling events in the Taiwan Strait.