Biology of small juveniles of the tropical holothurian Actinopyga echinites: growth,mortality, and habitat preferences

Several morphological, physiological and ecological experiments on the general biology of small juveniles (drained body weight=0.09 to 17.34 g) of Actinopyga echinites (Jäger 1833) (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) were conducted between August 1991 and July 1992 at Bise reef flat, Okinawa, southern Japan. Supplementary experiments were carried out at the laboratory. The experiments were designed with a view to potential stock enhancement projects of A. echinites and other commercially exploited tropical sea cucumbers of the coral reef zone. During the enclosure experiments, the average percentage of drained body weight to fresh body weight of the juveniles was 48.3%. The specimens displayed a growth rate of 1500% during the 11-mo period. Their drained body weight increased from 0.87 to 12.82 g. The juveniles' internal and skeletal morphology differed considerably from the morphology of adult A. echinites. Two new types of skeletal spicules were discovered. Individual growth of all spicule types monitored differed notably, and shrinkage was observed for the two newly discovered types. Relative frequency of the spicule types within the skeletons changed with increasing body weights of the individuals. The juveniles of A. echinites displayed a strong habitat preference for plate-like substrate types such as eroded limestone or dead coral plates. Skeletons of Acropora spp. were accepted at a much lower rate. Weight-frequency distributions of the specimens on varying substrate types and between various times of the day showed significant differences. Cryptic behaviour of the juveniles was observed at all times of the day. Natural mortality of the holothurians, excluding predation and minor dislodgement effects, was low at 0.6% mo^–1. When predation effects were introduced to the experiments, mortality reached a rate of 0.3% mo^–1. The average percentage of predation effects within the natural mortality total was 76.8%. Juvenile A. echinites exhibited a maximum short-distance migration speed of 9 cm h^–1. This was two orders of magnitude slower than the speed observed in adults (900 cm h^–1) when differences in total body length were taken into consideration. The holothurians had two activity peaks during the 4-h periods monitored, around sunrise and sunset, respectively.     

Growth,production and biomass of the burrowing protobranch mollusc Yoldia limatula in the Bideford River,Prince Edward Island,Canada

Samples of the population of Yoldia limatula Say were obtained from the Bideford River, Malpeque Bay, Prince Edward Island, Canada, during the summers of 1979 and 1980 by means of a dredge and a Ponar grab sampler. Size frequency analysis demonstrated that individuals in the size range 25- to 35-mm shell length were numerically dominant in May, June and July. Recruitment of juveniles in August resulted in the dominance of individuals of 5 mm and smaller which comprised 50% of the population at that time. The overall sex ratio was 48.8% males to 51.2% females. From annual lengths measured at successive winter growth bands it was determined that one-yr olds attained a shell length of between 13.8 and 17.7 mm, two-yr olds between 26.7 and 28.0 mm, three-yr olds between 33.8 and 35.2 mm, and foru-yr olds had a mean length of 38.7 mm. Y. limatula produced a croppable annual yield of between 1.19 and 2.65 g dry tissue weight m^-2 with P/B ratios of 0.65 and 1.45 respectively.     

Ontogeny of space use and diet of two temperate damselfish species, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parma microlepis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parma unifasciata</Emphasis>

Studies of reef fish herbivory have mainly focused on the impacts and behaviour of adults of tropical species. In this study, the ontogenetic shifts in home range, aggression, feeding rate, diet and gut morphology in juveniles and adults of two temperate territorial damselfishes, Parma microlepis and Parma unifasciata, were determined. Both P. microlepis and P. unifasciata juveniles under 80 mm TL exhibited no aggressive chases towards conspecifics or other species, while above 80 mm TL aggressive chase frequency increased in conjunction with an increase in home range, defended as a territory. Ontogenetic diet shifts, characterised by an increase in herbivory (P. unifasciata: juveniles: 64% plant material, adults: 95% plant material; P. microlepis: juveniles: 43% plant material, adults: 67% plant material) were observed for both species. The ratio of digestive tract length to body length, which often accompanies a switch to herbivory, increased significantly with ontogeny for both species. Compared to tropical confamilial grazers, these temperate damselfish species feeding rates were lower, and they had larger territories which were not as strongly defended (fewer aggressive chases).     

Larval abundance and recruitment of the sand dollar Dendraster excentricus in Monterey Bay,California, USA

Seasonal abundance of planktonic larvae of the sand dollar Dendraster excentricus was determined in Monterey Bay, California, USA. Larvae were counted from two offshore stations and also over a coastal sand dollar bed, and these data were compared with settlement in the sand dollar bed, with adult population structure and with adult reproductive condition. These measurements were made during the period July 1978 to October 1980 and in October 1981. Sand dollar larvae were most abundant in the plankton during the summer, a period when phytoplankton productivity tended to be high and currents were relatively slow and variable. In some years, small-scale current variations appeared to prevent many larvae in the open bay from reaching the nearshore sand dollar beds; however, in other years, massive shoreward transport of the larvae evidently did occur, since the adult population in the sand dollar bed exhibited a mode in size, indicating a large settlement. A comparison of settled individuals in 1980 and the adult size-frequency distribution in 1981 gives an estimated mortality rate of 88% yr^-1 for early juveniles of D. excentricus.     

Effect of diet on growth rate and reproductive fitness of Turbo sarmaticus (Mollusca: Vetigastropoda: Turbinidae)

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of four algal diets (Corallina spp., Gelidium pristoides, Ulva rigida and an equal volume mixture of these seaweeds) on growth and reproduction of the South African gastropod Turbo sarmaticus Linnaeus, 1758. The best growth rate of juveniles (up to 13.8 mm shell length and 34.26 g wet body weight increase in 12 months), reproductive fitness of mature specimens (gonad index up to 33%) and energy reserves (up to 4.76 mg glycogen/100 mg foot tissue) were achieved when T. sarmaticus was fed U. rigida or a mixed diet. In addition, the gonad index of individuals fed these diets was almost twice that of similar-sized field specimens. Juveniles fed Corallina spp. only, grew very little (only 2.4 mm shell length and 4.23 g wet body weight increase in 12 months). The reproductive fitness of adults fed on such a diet was also poor (gonad index <4.5%) and energy reserves were low (<3.5 mg glycogen/100 mg foot tissue). Along the southeastern coast of South Africa, T. sarmaticus has a distinct reproductive cycle with gametogenesis occurring from March/April until August/September, whilst maturity (gonad index = 15%) was maintained until December, after which spawning occurred until March. Received: 6 July 1998 / Accepted: 8 March 1999     

Life history of a dominant polychaete, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygordius jouinae</Emphasis>, in inner continental shelf sands of the Mid-Atlantic Bight,USA

The life history of the polychaete Polygordius jouinae Ramey, Fiege, and Leander 2006 was studied in the sandy sediments of the LEO-15 research area off the coast of Tuckerton, New Jersey (39°27.69′N, 74°15.81′W). Divers collected sediment cores biweekly, from February 2004 to November 2005 to examine the temporal patterns of abundance and size–frequency distributions of P. jouinae. These parameters were also examined (for the first time) for P. jouinae in samples taken in ambient sediments and in three reciprocal 3 to 5-day sediment transplant experiments that were part of a previous, unrelated study at coarse sand and muddy sand sites (∼3 km apart) at LEO-15 in the summers of 1994 and 1995. Analysis of these previous data along with the current data provided a larger set of values for P. jouinae, as well as further insight into the life history, habitat selection, and dispersal of P. jouinae (not considered in previous studies). Polygordius jouinae is gonochoristic and the population was mostly composed of sexually mature individuals in late May 2004 and 2005. The reproductive period usually occurs from May to August and individuals that spawn generally have a 1-year life span. Non-spawning individuals of P. jouinae could potentially live longer than 1 year and therefore the population may sometimes consist of individuals of two generations. Recruitment begins no later than July as recently settled individuals (≤9 mm body length), which were not present during the first week of June 1995, 2004, and 2005, first appeared in July in all 3 years. The smallest individual was 2.01 mm long and 0.07 mm wide and this provides the first estimate of size at initial recruitment. Although some worms in sediment trays likely settled as larvae, most worms were recently settled juveniles (length categories 6 and 9 mm) transported in from the surrounding sediments, presumably as a consequence of re-suspension or bed load transport. As expected, larger individuals were present later in September. Although it is unknown whether P. jouinae were transported actively or passively these data suggest that recently settled juveniles are capable of habitat selection (prefer sand over mud) and show that post-settlement transport and selection influence community structure.     

Potential of bivalves' secondary settlement differs with species: a comparison between cockle (Cerastoderma edule) and clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) juvenile resuspension

Juvenile bivalves may be dispersed by entering a bysso-pelagic phase where they drift through the water mass aided by a long thread. The ability to resuspend and control the specific weight in two bivalve species, the cockle Cerastoderma edule (L.) and the Japanese clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams and Reeves), was documented with juveniles through flume and still-water experiments. Cockle juveniles initially placed on an unsuitable substratum were exposed to two shear velocities (u _*). At the end of the experiment, 42 (±15)% (for u _*=0.51 cm s⁻¹) and 79 (±9)% (for u _*=0.99 cm s⁻¹) of individuals were retrieved from the sand area which represents only 8% of the total flume surface. Most juveniles (70.5%) with shell lengths <2.5 mm migrated from the unsuitable Plexiglas substratum to the sand array by resuspension in the water column. The percentage was lower (21.5%) for larger individuals. The same experimental design was applied to clams, which immediately adhered to the Plexiglas substratum and remained attach to it. Sinking rates of live and dead specimens of both species were measured in a 1 m long transparent PVC tube. Cockle fall velocities showed severe deceleration, probably due to byssus secretion (up to 15-fold slower than dead cockles), sometimes interrupted by brutal acceleration probably due to byssal rupture. Cockles were able to reduce their sinking rate for shell lengths up to 4.25 mm. By contrast, clam sinking rates were constant, and similar to dead clam sinking rates. Specific weights of all experimental juveniles were calculated in relation to their lengths, and their passive motion into the boundary layer was theoretically assessed with Shields curve. In short, C. edule and R. philippinarum can both exhibit dense populations in the field with a good capacity to colonize, although juveniles display different abilities to resuspend in the water column. Received: 27 January 1997 / Accepted: 13 February 1997     

General ecology of the cassiduloid urchin Cassidulus caribbearum

Cassidulus caribbearum, a representative of the echinoid order Cassiduloida, occurs in localized populations of high densities (up to 100 m^-2) among the islands of the Puerto Rico bank in the eastern Caribbean Sea. These small (up to 35 mm) urchins are burrowers, principally in shallow-water areas with coarse sand bottom. Locomotion is achieved by ditaxic waves, passing from the front to the rear of large movable spines on the lateral portions of the ventral surface; this mechanism is unique among echinoids. Digging was most effective in sand grain sizes most closely approximating those of the environment (0 to 1). These urchins are somewhat selective deposit feeders, which ingest substrate particles primarily in the size range 0 to 1. Individuals ingest sand more or less continuously; complete passage of sand through the gut takes an average of 6 h in the laboratory. Aristotle's lantern is present in young juveniles (test length <1.0 mm), but is resorbed before the urchins reach a test length of 5.0 mm. The gut shows similarities in gross morphology to the spatangoid gut. Oxygen consumption is comparable to that of other tropical echinoids of similar wet weight. C. caribbearum broods its large (350 m) yolky eggs among the aboral spines for 10 to 12 days, at which time young urchins crawl off into the sand. Successive, overlapping broods are produced, so that frequently two broods of different developmental stages are present on a single urchin. Single urchins may brood continuously for up to 4 months or more. Throughout the year, at least 50% of all individuals over 18 mm were found brooding, with a maximum of 85% of all individuals brooding in mid-summer. The sex ratio of the population in all areas sampled was greater than 5 females to 1 male. No evidence of protandric hermaphroditism was found. Growth rate, measured from tagged indivuduals and from increase in median size in population samples, was between 0.5 and 1.0 mm month^-1. Mortality was due primarily to predation by the gastropod Cassis tuberosa, although occasional, episodic mortality was caused by physical factors such as heavy storm swells.     

Ontogenetic change in the radula of Conus magus (Gastropoda)

Specimens of the Indo-Pacific piscivorous gastropod Conus magus Linnaeus, 1758 were either collected by SCUBA in the field in Palau (1983–1984) or raised in the laboratory from egg capsules. C. magus captures adult fish with a specially modified radula tooth. Radula morphology was analyzed in a size range of individuals from 4.1 to 43.7 mm shell length, which encompassed early postmetamorphic juveniles to adults. Post-metamorphic C. magus juveniles are too small to consume fish, and all individuals below 9 mm possess a juvenile radula tooth totally different from that of the adult and resembling that of some vermivorous Conus species. The only food remains found in the digestive tracts of juveniles were the setae of syllid polychaetes. All individuals above 10.5 mm possessed adult teeth and had only fish remains in the gut. Two specimens, 10.1 and 9.2 mm in shell length, had intermediate-type radula teeth.     

Glucosephosphate isomerase genotype frequencies,homozygous excess and size relationships in the sand flounder Rhombosolea plebeia

Genetic variation was studied at two polymorphic loci for 3 yr (November 1978–February 1982) in juvenile sand flounder (Rhombosolea plebeia) in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. The Gpi-1 locus showed a heterogeneity in genotype frequencies, but this was not clearly related to season or to fish length. At the Gpi-2 locus, genotype frequencies were dependent upon length and showed a significant excess of homozygotes in juveniles but not in adults. This latter phenomenon has been reported previously in several species of marine molluscs, and so may be common to marine organisms producing large numbers of pelagic larvae. Reasons for the excess of homozygotes are discussed, and it is suggested that assortative mating is the most likely explanation and that this is an area of marine population genetic research which has been over-looked.     

Otolith microstructure and daily increment validation of marbled sole (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae</Emphasis>)

We examined the daily deposition of otolith increments of marbled sole (Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae) larvae and juveniles by rearing experiments, and estimated the growth pattern of wild larvae and juveniles in Hakodate Bay (Hokkaido Island, Japan). At 16°C, prominent checks (inner checks; ca. 19.8 µm in diameter) were observed on the centers of sagittae and lapilli extracted from 5-day-old larvae. On both otoliths, distinctive and regular increments were observed outside of the inner checks, and the slopes of regression lines between age and the number of increments (n_i) (for sagittae: n_i=0.98×Day–5.90; for lapillus: n_i=0.96×Day–5.70) did not significantly differ from 1. Inner check formations were delayed at lower temperature, and the inner checks formed 13 days after hatching at 8°C. Over 80% of larvae, just after their yolk-sac has been absorbed completely (stage C), had inner checks on both their otoliths. On the lapilli, other checks (outer check) formed at the beginning of eye migration (stage G). To validate the daily deposition of increments during the juvenile stage, wild captured P. yokohamae juveniles were immersed in alizarin complexone (ALC)-seawater solutions and reared in cages set in their natural habitat. After 6 days, the mean number of rings deposited after the ALC mark was 5.7. The age–body length relationship of wild P. yokohamae larvae and juveniles caught in Hakodate Bay was divided into three phases. In the larval period, the relationship was represented by a quadratic equation (notochord length=–0.010×Age²+0.682×Age–2.480, r²=0.82, P<0.001), and the estimated instantaneous growth was 0.38 mm day^–1 at 15 days, 0 mm day^–1 at 34 days and –0.12 mm day^–1 at 40 days. The age–body length relationship in the early juvenile stage (<50 days) and the late juvenile stage (>50 days) were represented by linear equations (standard length=0.055×Age+5.722 and standard length=0.345×Age–9.908, respectively). These results showed that the growth rates in the late larval periods and the early juvenile stage were lower than those in the early larval stage and late juvenile stage; during the slow growth period, energy appears to be directed towards metamorphosis rather than body growth. This study provided the information needed to use otolith microstructure analysis for wild marbled sole larvae and juveniles.Communicated by T. Ikeda, Hakodate     

Growth,stomach contents and parasites in a tidepool population of the hippolytid shrimp Heptacarpus futilirostris,with reference to reproduction

The biology of the hippolytid shrimp Heptacarpus futilirostris (Bate) was studied in a tidepool at Kominato, central Japan from January 1983 to June 1984. In males, the relative growth ratio between the third maxilliped length and body length revealed a turning point at approximately 15 mm in body length. Population recruitment was presumed to continue from April to December. The range of body length did not increase from July to October, and thereafter increased rapidly in both sexes up to a maximum range, i.e. from 6 to 29 mm in January. The wide range was presumably due to the simultaneous occurrence of rapid growth with population recruitment. The growth rates of size groups above and below 15 mm were different in the males observed in January. Large males disappeared, probably due to death, and small males participated in reproduction after July. The growth rate increased from late autumn to spring and decreased from summer to early autumn, and was influenced by relative food abundance, especially seaweeds. Two parasitic isopods were identified: Bopyrinella antilensis nipponica in the branchial cavity, and Epiphryxus sp. on the abdomen. It is suggested that parasites have more influence on maturity than on growth. Ovigerous females were found from January to October, with the breeding season peak between April and June. The relationship between female body length (L) and clutch size (N) was expressed by the regression equation: N=5.11 L^1.6347 (r=0.57). This species is identified as a multiple breeder. The relatively large number of larvae presumably compensates for the low larval survival rate.     

Life history of the golden ring cowry Cypraea annulus (Mollusca: gastropoda) on Okinawa Island,Japan

Two mark-recapture studies, regular population censuses, field observations, and laboratory culture were used to study the life history of the tropical marine gastropod Cypraea annulus Linnaeus, 1758 from Cape Maeda, Okinawa Island, from April 1984 to March 1986. In the field, the average rate of increase in shell length of marked juvenile snails was 1.0±0.3 mm wk^-1 (N=13), with a maximum of 1.5 mm wk^-1 (initial shell length 10.6 to 17.2 mm). In the laboratory, the maximum growth rate of juveniles was 3.0 mm wk^-1 with food ad libitum. Snails with primordial teeth on the shells grew at a rate of 0.1 to 0.5 mm wk^-1 for about 2 wk. The adults continued to grow at a similar rate for an additional 3 to 6 wk, and ceased detectable growth when some females started spawning egg masses. In the littoral zone on Okinawa Island, snails reproduced throughout the year. Egg masses brooded by three females (shell length 17.4 to 21.3 mm) in the field contained 90 000 to 133 000 ova. In the laboratory, brooding periods of three females lasted 6,8, and 9 d. The estimated average frequency of spawning was 5 egg masses female^-1 yr^-1. The mean shell length of adult females (20.3 mm) was significantly larger than that of adult males (19.6 mm). The life-history strategy of C. annulus is characterized by rapid growth, high fecundity, and repeated spawning throughout the year.     

Dominance behaviour,body weight and fat variations,and partial migration in European blackbirds Turdus merula

Summary A partially migratory population of European blackbirds Turdus merula was studied in central Europe during the non-breeding season. Body weight and the amount of subcutaneous fat deposits showed seasonal variations typical for each age and sex category. Juveniles were fattest in autumn and spring and both juveniles and females lost fat and body weight in mid-winter. Adults and males reached their maximum body weight in mid-winter. These findings together with data from Schwabl (1983) suggest that juveniles and females constitute the main fraction of those birds migrating from the area in autumn. In winter mainly adults and males have access to food resources. These patterns may be regulated by dominance behaviour, since adults and males are usually dominant over juveniles and females throughout the non-breeding season. Subordinate birds that stay in the area probably suffer from a higher winter mortality but have the advantage of early breeding.     

Tetracycline as a fluorescent shell-marker in the abalone Haliotis iris

Ageing of abalone by counting rings laid down internally in the shell has presented problems of validation. Three methods of tetracycline marking were tested in Haliotis iris. Juvenile (<70 mm shell length) and adult (>115 mm) abalone were injected intramuscularly with tetracycline hydrochloride, injected with oxytetracycline, or immersed in tetracycline hydrochloride. After treatment, shells were cut sagitally and examined under ultraviolet light using a stereomicroscope. In treatments where juveniles were injected with tetracycline hydrochloride or oxytetracycline hydrochloride at dosages ranging from 20 to 600 mg per kg body weight, no fluorescent marks were visible from treatments80 mg/kg, but 83% of juveniles treated with greater dosages retained a visible mark. In treatments where juveniles were immersed in seawater solutions of tetracycline hydrochloride at five concentrations ranging from 200 to 1000 mg per litre of seawater and sampled at 5 h intervals for periods ranging from 5 to 40 h, all showed clear fluorescent markings. Shells of adult abalone injected with tetracycline hydrochloride at four dosages ranging from 200 to 800 mg/kg all showed clearly visible marks 18 d post-treatment. Abalone injected at dosages of 600 and 800 mg/kg exhibited tissue fluorescence around the injection site 2 wk after treatment. Adults immersed for 48 h at four concentrations ranging from 200 to 800 mg/l produced marks comparable to those of injected adults. Abalone were clearly stressed by some treatments. Only 50% of adults injected at 200 mg/kg were able to right themselves within 10 min, while all those injected at higher concentrations either were incapable of righting themselves after treatment or were extremely sluggish. All immersed adults quickly righted themselves. These results show that both injection and immersion are effective in marking abalone, but that immersion is less stressful to them.     

饵料对稀有鮈鲫幼鱼和成鱼生长的影响及摄食优化策略研究

在实验室适宜的饲养条件下,进行不同发育阶段的稀有鮈鲫为期30 d的摄食-生长实验,研究3种饵料在投喂量分别为鱼体湿重的3.0%、4.0%和6.0%的3种摄食水平条件下,对稀有鮈鲫幼鱼(初始湿重为(0.0749±0.02)g)和成鱼(初始湿重为(0.2603±0.06)g)的生长影响。结果表明,不同摄食水平组的稀有鮈鲫幼鱼的相对增重率和特定生长率随摄食水平的增加而增加,但饲料转化率呈下降趋势;而稀有鮈鲫成鱼的相对增重率、特定生长率和饲料转化率的变化趋势基本相同。适宜摄食水平随稀有鮈鲫体重的增加而降低,稀有鮈鲫幼鱼和成鱼的适宜饵料分别为O.S.I.微细颗粒和O.S.I.细颗粒,适宜摄食水平分别为6.0%和4.0%。     

Diel vertical migration and feeding patterns of Mysis mixta (Crustacea,Mysidacea) in the Baltic Sea

The extent of the nocturnal vertical migration of Mysis mixta Lilljeborg varied between early July and late October (of 1985 and 1986) in a coastal area of the Baltic Sea. Migration was more restricted in early July and late October. Seasonal changes in surface light levels and transparency were sufficient to explain the observed differences. Mysids avoided light levels above 10^-4 lux throughout the study period. Smaller juveniles migrated higher up than larger juveniles and adults. A two-layered distribution with part of the population close to the bottom was observed at night. Zooplankton were more abundant in water layers above the main concentration of mysids. M. mixta fed on phytoplankton, detritus, copepods, cladocerans, rotifers and tintinnids. Diel changes in gut fluorescence indicated a higher intake of phytoplankton at night, but levels were low compared to primarily herbivorous zooplankton. Comparisons of stomach contents of mysids caught at the bottom in the evening and in the water column at night showed a higher ingestion of zooplankton at night and of detritus during the day. Mysids caught at the bottom at night had an intermediate diet. Copepods and cladocerans constituted between 90 and 100% of ingested material by weight in all mysid groups.     

Induction of settlement and metamorphosis in the sand dollarEchinarachnius parma: Evidence for an adult-associated factor

Larvae of the northern sand dollarEchinarachnius parma (Lamarck), reared from adults collected from Eagle Head, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1988 and 1989, metamorphose in significantly greater numbers on sand conditioned by adults than on non-conditioned sand. The metamorphic factor has a molecular weight < 1000 and is destroyed by heating. Larvae are capable of sensing this cue in the water column under static conditions. Substrata of varying particle size and surface texture can be conditioned by adults to induce metamorphosis. Substrata conditioned in the dark, and conditioned sand treated with antibiotics also induce metamorphosis suggesting that the factor is not produced by adult-associated bacteria or microflora. In nature, this adult-associated factor may direct settlement of larvae to established sand dollar beds resulting in the aggregated distribution of this species.     

Life history and production of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corophium urdaibaiense</Emphasis> (Crustacea: Amphipoda) in the Urdaibai estuary (NE Spain)

The population of species Corophium urdaibaiense has been studied for a year in the Urdaibai estuary (NE Spain). The new species is characterised by its preference for muddy sand sediments (15% of mud) and the long body size (with a maximum length of 10.24 mm). The maximum abundance occurs in November (11,600 ind m⁻²); it almost disappears at the end of spring. The juveniles represent 79% of the population and the recruitment is concentrated within the October–December period. The breeding period begins in May, when the temperature is above 15°C, and it ceases in November, when the temperature is below 15°C. Bivoltinism is probable, taking into account the latitude (43°), temperature range (12–25°C) and breeding period (May and August–October), but the data are not sufficiently consistent to confirm the hypothesis. The production ranges from 2.93 to 5.85 g m⁻² year⁻¹, considering one and two generations per year, respectively. Some aspects concerning the food availability, predation and intraspecific competition could have an influence on the dynamics of the population and are discussed.     

Reproductive biology of a wood-boring isopod, Sphaeroma terebrans, with extended parental care

The isopod Sphaeroma terebrans Bate, 1866 burrows in aerial roots of the red mangrove Rhizophora mangle L. The burrows serve as shelter and as a reproductive habitat, and females are known to host their offspring in their burrows. I examined the reproductive biology of S. terebrans in the Indian River Lagoon, a shallow lagoon stretching for ∼200 km along the Atlantic coast of Florida, USA. Reproductive isopods were found throughout the year, but reproductive activity was highest in the fall and during late spring/early summer. During the latter periods, large numbers of subadults established their own burrows in aerial roots. The average numbers of S. terebrans per root were high during the fall, but decreased during the winter and reached lowest levels at the end of the summer. Females reached maturity at a larger size than males, but also grew to larger sizes than the males. The average size of females varied between 8 and 10 mm, the average size of males between 6.5 and 8.5 mm. The number of embryos female⁻¹ was strongly correlated with female body length. No indication for embryo mortality during development was found. Parental females (i.e. with juveniles in their burrows) hosted on average between 5 and 20 juveniles in their burrows (range 1 to 59). Most juveniles found in female burrows were in the manca stage and 2 to 3 mm in body length. Juveniles did not increase in size while in the maternal burrow, and juveniles of similar sizes could also be found in their own burrows. Males did not participate in extended parental care, since most of them left the females after copulation. Many females that were born in the summer produced one brood in the fall and a second during winter/early spring. Females that were born in the fall produced one brood during spring/early summer, but then probably died. Extended parental care in S. terebrans is short compared to other peracarid crustaceans. It is concluded that this reproductive strategy in S. terebrans serves primarily to shelter small juveniles immediately after they emerge from the female body, when their exoskeleton is still hardening and their physiological capabilities are still developing. Thus, in S. terebrans, extended parental care probably aids to protect small juveniles from adverse physical conditions in their subtropical intertidal habitat. Received: 9 December 1998 / Accepted: 24 June 1999