Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Population dynamics, biomass and productivity of Limapontia depressa (Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia) at Bull Island, Dublin, Ireland

Population dynamics, biomass and productivity of Limapontia depressa (Gastropoda,... Limapontia depressa was present in the saltmarsh pools at Bull Island, Dublin from October to June each year. Numbers peaked in December, with a secondary peak in April, and the maximum density recorded was just under 23000 indiv m–2. The strong population seasonal cycle was not linked to salinity or chlorophyll-a cycles but did coincide with the drying of the pools. Average production (P) was 233 kJ m–2 y–1, with a P:B ratio of just 2:1, which is rather low for such a small animal and may be a function of the low growth rate. These conclusions must be treated with caution due to uncertainty over recruitment mechanisms. Gamete output (G) was calculated at a maximum of 28.6 kJ m–2 y–1. This is a higher secondary production than previously reported for saltmarsh herbivores, and may be an important link into the wider estuarine trophic system and a vital food resource for small waders. The low G:P ratio suggests that not all semelparous species necessarily adopt an r-strategy of 'reproductive recklessness'. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Aquatic Ecology Springer Journals

Population dynamics, biomass and productivity of Limapontia depressa (Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia) at Bull Island, Dublin, Ireland

Aquatic Ecology , Volume 38 (4) – Dec 30, 2004

Loading next page...
 
/lp/springer-journals/population-dynamics-biomass-and-productivity-of-limapontia-depressa-akFsXREz3A

References (46)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 by Kluwer Academic Publishers
Subject
Life Sciences; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Ecosystems
ISSN
1386-2588
eISSN
1573-5125
DOI
10.1007/s10452-004-0310-z
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Limapontia depressa was present in the saltmarsh pools at Bull Island, Dublin from October to June each year. Numbers peaked in December, with a secondary peak in April, and the maximum density recorded was just under 23000 indiv m–2. The strong population seasonal cycle was not linked to salinity or chlorophyll-a cycles but did coincide with the drying of the pools. Average production (P) was 233 kJ m–2 y–1, with a P:B ratio of just 2:1, which is rather low for such a small animal and may be a function of the low growth rate. These conclusions must be treated with caution due to uncertainty over recruitment mechanisms. Gamete output (G) was calculated at a maximum of 28.6 kJ m–2 y–1. This is a higher secondary production than previously reported for saltmarsh herbivores, and may be an important link into the wider estuarine trophic system and a vital food resource for small waders. The low G:P ratio suggests that not all semelparous species necessarily adopt an r-strategy of 'reproductive recklessness'.

Journal

Aquatic EcologySpringer Journals

Published: Dec 30, 2004

There are no references for this article.