Abstract
Gammarus pulex and Asellus aquaticus generally occupy different zones in rivers; the former occurs in upper reaches but is ‘replaced’ by the latter in lower reaches. Microdistribution and life-history patterns of G. pulex and A. aquaticus in sympatry and allopatry, were analyzed. Both species exhibited similar patterns of microhabitat selection, with larger individuals associated predominantly with large-sized substratum particles, and juveniles with weed. Coexisting populations of G. pulex and A. aquaticus had similar densities and population dynamics. Within each species, differences in population dynamics of allopatric and sympatric populations were observed. Although variation in population dynamics of G. pulex may be explained in terms of competition between the two species, the evidence is weak and equivocal. Differences in the dynamics of the two A. aquaticus populations were possibly a consequence of coal-mine and organic pollution, reducing the survival of offspring in the allopatric population.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, J., J. Gee, P. Greenwood, S. McKelvey & R. Perry, 1987. Factors affecting the microdistribution of Gammarus pulex (Amphipoda). An experimental study. Freshwat. Biol. 17: 307–316.
Anderset, T. & R. Klubne, 1983. The life-histories of Hydropsyche siltalai and Hydropsyche pellucidula, Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae, in a West Norwegian river. Aquat. Insects. 5: 51–62.
Buikema, A. L. & E. E. Benfield, 1979. Use of macroinvertebrate life history information in toxicity tests. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 36: 321–328.
Chambers, M. R., 1977. A comparison of the population ecology of Asellus aquaticus (L.) and Asellus meridianus Rac. in the reed beds of the Tjeukemeer. Hydrobiologia 53: 147–154.
Fenchel, T., J.-O. Frier & S. Kolding, 1978. The evolution of competitive species. In: Marine Organisms. (Ed. Bruno Battaglia and John Beardmore). Plenum Publishing Corporation, London: 289–301.
De Nicola Giudici, M., L. Migliore & C. Gambardella, 1986a. Toxicity of mercury on different life stages of the biological cycle of Asellus aquaticus (L.) and Proasellus coxalis Dollf (Crustacea, Isopoda). Boll. Soc. Ital. Biol. 62: 321–328.
De Nicola Giudici, M., L. Mighore & S. M. Guarino, 1986b. Effects of cadmium on the life cycle of Asellus aquaticus (L.) and Proasellus coxalis Dollf. (Crustacea, Isopoda). Envir. Tech. Let. 7: 45–54.
Gee, J. H. R., 1982. Resource utilization by Gammarus pulex (Amphipoda) in a Cotswold stream: a microdistribution study. J. anim. Ecol. 51: 817–832.
Gee, J. H. R., 1988. Population dynamics and morphometrics of Gammarus pulex L.: evidence of seasonal food limitation in a freshwater detritivore. Freshwat. Biol.: 19: 333–343.
Graça, M. A. S., 1990. Observations on the feeding biology of two stream-dwelling detritivores G. pulex (L.) an A. aquaticus (L.). Ph.D. Thesis. University of Sheffield, Department of Animal & Plant Sciences.
Graça, M. A. S., L. Maltby & P. Calow, 1994. Comparative ecology of Gammarus pulex (L.) and Asellus aquaticus (L.) II: Fungal preferences. Hydrobiologia 281: 163–170.
Hynes, H. B. N., 1955. The reproductive cycle of some British freshwater Gammaridae. J. anim. Ecol. 24: 352–387.
Iversen, T. M. & J. Jessen, 1977. Life-cycle, drift and production of Gammarus pulex L. (Amphipoda) in a Dams spring. Freshwat. Biol. 7: 287–296.
Krzysik, A. J., 1979. Resource allocation, coexistence and the niche structure of a streambank salamander community. Ecol. Mon. 49: 173–194.
Maitland, P. 1966. Notes of the biology of Gammarus pulex in the River Endrick. Hydrobiologia 28: 142–151.
Maltby, L., 1991. Pollution as a probe of life-history adaptation in Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda). Oikos 61: 11–18.
McCahon, C. P. & D. Pascoe (1988). Use of Gammarus pulex (L.) in safely evaluation tests: culture and selection of sensitive life stage. Ecotox. Envir. Safety 15: 245–252.
Minshall, G. W., 1967. Role of allochthonous detritus in the trophic structure of a woodland spring-brook community. Ecology 48: 139–149.
Murphy, P. M. & M. A. Learner, 1982. The life history and production of Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea, Isopoda) in the River Ely, South Wales. Freshwat. Biol. 12: 435–444.
Naylor, C., L. Pindar & P. Calow, 1990. Inter and intraspecific variation in sensitivity to toxins; the effects of acidity and zinc on the freshwater crustaceans Asellus aquaticus (L.) and Gammarus pulex (L.). Wat. Res. 24: 757–762.
Nilsson, L. M., 1977. Incubation time, growth and mortality of the amphipod Gammarus pulex under laboratory conditions. Oikos 29: 93–98.
Okland, K. A., 1978. Life history and growth of Asellus aquaticus (L.) in relation to environment in a eutrophic lake in Norway. Hydrobiologia 53: 243–259.
Pianka, E. R., 1983. Evolutionary Ecology, 3rd edn. Harper & Row Publishers, New York.
Pringle, S., 1982. Factors affecting microdistribution of different sizes of the amphipod Gammarus pulex. Oikos. 38: 369–373.
Rossi, L. & G. Vitagliano-Tadini, 1978. Role of adult faeces in the nutrition of larvae of Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda). Oikos 30: 109–113.
Scorgie, H. R. A., 1974. Studies on the food of invertebrates in the River Lambourn with particular reference to the role of detritus in the trophic economy of the community. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Reading.
Sibly, R. M. & P. Calow, 1986. Physiological Ecology of Animals. An Evolutionary Approach. Blackwell Scientific Publications. Oxford.
Steel, E. A., 1961. Some observations on the life-history of Asellus aquaticus (L.) and Asellus meridianus Racovitza (Crustacea: Isopoda). Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 187: 71–87.
Sutcliffe, D. W., T. R. Carrick & L. G. Willoughby, 1981. Effect of diet, body size, age and temperature on growth rates in the amphipod Gammarus pulex. Freshwat. Biol. 11: 183–214.
Welton, J. S., 1979. Life history and production of the amphipod Gammarus pulex in a Dorset chalk stream. Freshwat. Biol. 9: 263–275.
Welton, J. B. & R. T. Clarke, 1980. Laboratory studies on the reproduction and growth of the Amphipod Gammarus pulex (L.). J. anim. Ecol. 49: 581–592.
Whitehorst, I. T., 1991. The Gammarus: Asellus ratio as an index of organic pollution. Wat. Res. 25: 333–339.
Williams, D. D. & K. A. Moore, 1986. Microhabitat selection by a stream-dwelling amphipod: a multivariate analysis approach. Freshwat. Biol. 16: 115–122.
Williams, W. D., 1962. The geographic distribution of the isopod Asellus aquaticus (L.) and Asellus meridianus Rac. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond. 39: 75–96.
Wrona, F. J., J. M. Culp & R. W. Davies 1982. Macroinvertebrate subsampling. A simplified apparatus and approach. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 39: 1051–1054.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Graça, M.A.S., Maltby, L. & Calow, P. Comparative ecology of Gammarus pulex (L.) and Asellus aquaticus (L.) I: population dynamics and microdistribution. Hydrobiologia 281, 155–162 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00028678
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00028678