Water current velocity as an environmental factor regulating the distribution of amphipod species in Gamo lagoon, Japan |
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Authors: | S Aikins E Kikuchi |
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Institution: | (1) Biological Institute, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan Tel. +81-022-217-7561; Fax +81-022-217-7560 e-mail: aikins@mail.cc.tohoku.ac.jp, JP;(2) Center for Northeast Asian Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, JP |
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Abstract: | The role of current velocity as an environmental factor affecting the distribution of amphipod species was investigated in
the brackish Gamo lagoon, Japan. Two gammaridean amphipod species, Eogammarus possjeticus and Melita setiflagella, were found inhabiting stations of different water current with same substrates. E. possjeticus and M. setiflagella selected substrates at low and high water current, respectively. The lifestyles and anatomical features of these two free-living
amphipods contributed to their adaptation to habitats with different water currents. The results of field and experimental
observations suggest the existence of some type of interspecific competition between the two species. The presence of E. possjeticus caused a displacement of the fundamental niche of M. setiflagella.
Received: October 10, 2000 / Accepted: August 17, 2001 |
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Keywords: | Amphipods Water current velocity Artificial substrates Niche shift Brackish lagoon |
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