Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T15:09:03.811Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Life Cycle and Population Dynamics of Idotea Pelagica and I. Granulosa (Isopoda: Valvifera) In South-East Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

Brenda Healy
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University College, Belneld, Dublin 4, Ireland
Michael O'Neill
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University College, Belneld, Dublin 4, Ireland

Extract

Populations of Idotea pelagica and Idotea granulosa were studied monthly at Carnsore Point, County Wexford, from July 1978 to October 1979. The density of I. pelagica in mussel beds varied between 26 and 180/100 cm, reaching a peak in June. Numbers of I. granulosa in samples of Gigartina stellata fluctuated from month to month and averaged 200/100 g dry weight of algae. Peak densities were recorded in September of both years. Both species exhibited continuous growth, and breeding occurred throughout the year but with a main breeding period starting in winter. I. pelagica grew more rapidly and had an extensive breeding period lasting from December to August with two generations, some members of both generations producing second broods. For I. granulosa, the main breeding period was January to April, after which most adults died. Some of their offspring reached maturity in late summer giving rise to a lesser breeding peak in late summer and autumn but most did not mature until winter. Summer breeders of both species were smaller than those breeding in winter. The breeding cycles are compared with those of other populations in Britain and the Baltic and the possible reasons for the differences discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Barnes, H. 1975. Reproductive rhythms and some marine invertebrates: an introduction. Pubblicazioni del la Stazione zoologica di Napoli, 39 (supplement 1), 825.Google Scholar
Betz, K.-H. 1975. Idotea chelipes (Pallas, 1766) (Isopoda, Valvifera) ein weiterer Beweiss fur die Anwindbarkeit der Bergmannschen Regel auf Crustaceen Mitteilungen aus dem Hamburgischen zoologischen Museum und Institut, 72, 109117.Google Scholar
Bruce, J. R.Colman, J. S. & Jones, N. S. 1963. Marine Fauna of the Isle of Man. 307 pp. Liverpool University Press.Google Scholar
HøRlyck, V. 1973. Seasonal and diel variation in the rhythmicity of Idotea baltica (Pallas) and Idotea granulosa Rathke. Ophelia, 12, 117127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Irwin-Packington, P. 1934. Bionomics and Morphology of Idotea granulosa. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Sheffield.Google Scholar
Jansson, A.-M. & Matthiesen, A.-S. 1971. On the ecology of young Idotea in the Baltic. In Proceedings of the Fourth European Marine Biology Symposium, Bangor, 1969 (ed. D. J. Crisp), pp. 7188. Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Kjennerud, J. 1950. Ecological observations on Idotea neglecta G. O. Sars. Universitetet i Bergen. Ärbok (Naturvitenskapelig rekke), no. 7, 47 pp.Google Scholar
Matsakis, J. 1956. Développement postembryonnaire d'Idotea viridis (Slabber) provenant de l'Étang de Leucate. Vie et milieu, 7, 287330.Google Scholar
Mayr, E. 1956. Geographical character gradients and climatic adaptation. Evolution, 10, 105108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Naylor, E. 1955a. The diet and feeding mechanism of Idotea. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 34, 347355.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Naylor, E. 1955b. The comparative external morphology and revised taxonomy of the British species of Idotea. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 34, 467493.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Naylor, E. 1955c. The ecological distribution of British species of Idotea (Isopoda). Journal of Animal Ecology, 24, 255268.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Naylor, E. 1955d. The life-cycle of the isopod Idotea emarginata (Fabricius). Journal of Animal Ecology, 24, 270281.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Naylor, E. 1972. British Marine Isopods. Synopses of the British Fauna, no. 3, 86 pp.Google Scholar
O'Neill, M. 1979. The reproductive biology of Idotea pelagica Leach and Idotea granulosa Rathke at Carnsore Point, County Wexford. Unpublished Thesis, University College, Dublin.Google Scholar
O'Rlordan, C. E. 1969. A Catalogue of the Collection of Irish Marine Crustacea in the National Museum of Ireland. 98 pp. Irish Government Publications.Google Scholar
Orton, J. H. 1920. Sea-temperature, breeding and distribution in marine animals. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 12, 339366.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rasmussen, E. 1973. Systematics and ecology of the Isefjord fauna. Ophelia, 11, 495 pp.Google Scholar
Ray, C. 1960. The application of Bergmann's and Allen's Rules to the poikilotherms. Journal of Morphology, 106, 85108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Salemaa, H. 1979. Ecology of Idotea species (Isopoda) in the northern Baltic. Ophelia, 18, 133150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sheader, M. 1977. The breeding biology of Idotea pelagica (Isopoda: Valvifera) with notes on the occurrence and biology of its parasite Clypeoniscus hanseni (Isopoda: Epicaridea). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 57, 659674.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Strong, K. W. & Daborn, G. R. 1979. Growth and energy utilisation of the intertidal isopod Idotea baltica (Pallas) (Crustacea: Isopoda). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 41, 101123.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sywula, T. 1964. A study of the taxonomy, ecology and geographical distribution of species of the genus Idotea Fabricius (Isopoda, Crustacea) in the Polish Baltic. II. Ecological and zoogeographical part. Bulletin. Société des amis des sciences et des lettres de Poznań (ser. B), 4, 173199.Google Scholar
Tattersall, W. M. 1905. The marine fauna of the coast of Ireland. V. Isopoda. Scientific Investigations of the Fisheries Branch. Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction forIreland for 1905, no. 2, 90 pp.Google Scholar
Tinturier-Hamelin, E. 1963. Polychromatisme et détermination génétique du sexe chez Pespece polytypique Idotea balthica (Pallas) (Isopoda Valvifere). Cahiers de biologie marine, 4, 473591.Google Scholar
Williams, G. 1954. Fauna of Strangford Lough and neighbouring coasts. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy (B), 56, 29133.Google Scholar