Population density and demography of a fouling community amphipod

摘要: Tube-building amphipods are abundant members of fouling communities but not major space competitors. Their ecology and relationships with the dominant species poorly understood. This study documents population dynamics demography amphipod Jassa marmorata Holmes in a New York community. Large recruitment peaks were used to track age cohorts over time. Growth was exponential beginning March, high variable densities through summer, declining winter low levels November. Of 5 overlapping yr−1, 3 present between May September. Survivorship mortality curves differed overwintering vs. summer cohorts. Life spans former 6–8 months <3 for latter. Adult body size varied inversely water temperature determinant fecundity. The density gravid females size. Thus, indirectly determined rates by affecting size, fecundity, cohort life spans. explosion correlated expansive growth hydroids, Ulva, especially, erect bryozoan Bugula turrita (Desor), all provided living Jassa. Mortality adults short-lived limited summer. Multiple confer flexibility facilitating onto newly developing ecospace rapidly fluctuating Water temperature, as lifespan, is regulatory factor this population.