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Population dynamics of Euterpina acutifrons (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from North Inlet, South Carolina, with reference to Dimorphic Males

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Abstract

The population dynamics of Euterpina acutifrons (Dana), a pelagic, harpacticoid copepod, are summarized in a life table based on field data. Highest mortality occurred in the last naupliar stage (NVI) and the first copepodite stage (CI). Overall survival in the field was 0.06% from the first naupliar stage (NI) to adult (CVI). The net reproductive rate (R o=55.590) and intrinsic rate of increase (I m=0.28) were sufficiently high to maintain a population with such a low survival rate in nature. E. acutifrons was present and breeding in the field from April through December. Low temperatures limited breeding, which began when the temperature reached 16.5°C and ceased when it fell to 11°C. Optimum temperature for North Inlet E. acutifrons was 25°C, with a maximum laboratory survival of 15.3% and a generation time of 10.3 days. Generation time in the field (20°C) was 14 days. Temperature also affected the abundance of dimorphic males. Small males were always most abundant, but peaked during the coldest month; large males became equal in abundance only during the varmest months.

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Author notes

  1. L. M. D'Apolito

    Present address: Benedict Estuarine Research Laboratory, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 20612, Benedict, Maryland, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Selle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research, University of South Carolina, 29208, Columbia, South Carolina, USA

    L. M. D'Apolito & S. E. Stancyk

  2. Department of Biology, University of South Carolina, 29208, Columbia, South Carolina, USA

    L. M. D'Apolito & S. E. Stancyk

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  1. L. M. D'Apolito
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  2. S. E. Stancyk
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Communicated by I. Morris, West Boothbay Harbor

Contribution No. 298 from the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research.

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D'Apolito, L.M., Stancyk, S.E. Population dynamics of Euterpina acutifrons (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from North Inlet, South Carolina, with reference to Dimorphic Males. Mar. Biol. 54, 251–260 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00395787

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