Seasonal dynamics of midwater zooplankton and relation to particle cycling in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

•NPSG midwater zooplankton respond to seasonal changes in production and export.•Large particles dominate midwater zooplankton food webs in summer.•Midwater zooplankton rely more on small particle-based food webs in winter.•Small zooplankton link small particles with higher trophic levels in midwaters.•Modest increases in midwater zooplankton biomass are observed in summer.