Differential growth of crayfish Procambarus alleni in relation to hydrological conditions in marl prairie wetlands of Everglades National Park, USA

摘要: Environmental conditions influence crustacean growth by affecting molt intervals and incremental increases in length weight. In the seasonally-flooded marl prairie wetlands of eastern Everglades National Park, U.S.A., hydropattern exerts considerable on aquatic primary productivity, so may availability food resources for higher trophic levels. The seasonal hydroperiod has been drastically altered anthropogenic factors, but impacts community are not well known. We studied whether differences crayfish Procambarus alleni could be detected habitats with different hydroperiods. first described patterns based weight a high protein diet laboratory. Regression analyses indicated that males females were similar. Although intermolt period increased age, proportional similar through successive molts. relationship between was best power equation allometric growth. then compared curves subpopulations from areas prairie. longest hydroperiods, weight-at-size significantly laboratory diet. However, gain per unit increase short sites less than long or These results indicate productivity associated these stressed wetlands, this contribute to observed source-sink population regulation.