Open AccessGrowth and reproduction of Mesidotea entomon (Isopoda) in the northern Bothnian Sea
Author(s) -
Leonardsson Kjell
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1986.tb01214.x
Subject(s) - isopoda , fecundity , biology , reproduction , brackish water , ecology , zoology , crustacean , demography , population , salinity , sociology
The life cycle of Mesidotea entomon sampled near the shore of Norrbyn in the northern Bothnian Sea, has been investigated. The species, a predacious brackish water isopod, had a three year life cycle. In May – June the juveniles were released from the female marsupium at a size of 3 mm. During the second summer size dimorphism became apparent, where the males were larger than the females. During the third summer and autumn the development of ova started in females. Maturation mostly occurred during late winter. Males matured before, and at larger sizes, than the females, 36.0 and 29.1 mm, respectively. The average fecundity was 153.2 and the females carried the eggs and embryos for several months before the release. Calculation of the survival rate for each year during the life‐span revealed 0.05, 0.66 and 0.43, respectively.