Reproductive bionomics and life history traits of three gammaridean amphipods, Cymadusa filosa Savigny, Ampithoe laxipodus Appadoo and Myers and Mallacoota schellenbergi Ledoyer from the tropical Indian Ocean (Mauritius) |
| |
Authors: | Chandani Appadoo Alan A. Myers |
| |
Affiliation: | aDepartment of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius;bDepartment of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, National University of Ireland Cork, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland |
| |
Abstract: | The reproductive bionomics and life history traits of two corophiid amphipods (Ampithoe laxipodus, Cymadusa filosa) and one melitid (Mallacoota schellenbergi) were studied in Mauritius (Indian Ocean) for the period March 1999 to February 2000. Results on the population structure, monthly size class variations, sex ratio, female reproductive states and fecundity are presented. The study demonstrates multivoltinism and continuous reproduction in the three species. Increase in number of juveniles was observed in warmer months for C. filosa and A. laxipodus. Sexual maturity was attained at smaller sizes in warmer months in the three species. Linear relationship on body length and number of eggs in brood pouch are presented. Size-independent analysis of egg number revealed a decrease in number of eggs in cooler months. Sex ratio is male skewed in M. schellenbergi and female skewed in C. filosa and A. laxipodus. Some of the plausible explanations for the reproductive strategies adopted by these three species in a tropical system are discussed. |
| |
Keywords: | Amphipod Corophiid Melitid Life history Fecundity Sex ratio Tropics |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录! |
|