Production and population dynamics of Ampelisca tenuicornis (Amphipoda) with notes on the biology of its parasite Sphaeronella longipes (Copepoda)

Abstract

Ampelisca tenuicornis Lilljeborg, 1855, is a member of a widely distributed genus of benthic tube-dwelling amphipods. Population studies of A. macrocephala Lilljeborg in the Øresund show it to have a generation length of 2 years (Kanneworff, 1965), and A. vadorum Mills off Massachusetts, U.S.A., produces two generations per year (Mills, 1967). A. brevicornis (Costa) in the Mediterranean breeds throughout the year with a generation time of 5–7 months (Kaim-Malka, 1969), but has only one generation per year in Helgoland Bight (Klein, Rachor & Gerlach, 1975).