Abstract
Pholoë minuta (Fabricius) is a prominent member of the Amphiura filiformis (O.F. Müller) subcommunity in Galway Bay, Ireland. The aim of the present investigation was to study the population dynamics and reproductive cycle of P. minuta in this area. Monthly sampling over a 2 yr period (November 1978–October 1980), at a permanent station (18 m) with a fine sand substrate, revealed a mean density of 96 individuals per 0.1 m2. The width of the fifth elytron was correlated with total body length and was used as a basis for analysing population structure. Four distinct year classes were evident and estimates of recruitment levels and growth rates were calculated. P. minuta is polytelic and reproduces for the first time when approaching 3 yr of age. Spawning occurred in March—April and appeared to be associated with a seasonal low in bottom-water temperature.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Bailey, N. T. J.: Statistical methods in biology, 189 pp. London: Hodder & Staughton 1959
Blake, J. A.: The larval development of Polychaeta from the northern California Coast. 11. Eighteen species of Errantia. Ophelia 14, 23–84 (1975)
Bowmer, C. T.: Aspects of the biology and ecology of Amphiura filiformis (O. F. Müller) (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea), 95 pp. Ph.D. thesis (unpublished), National University of Ireland 1982
Christie, G.: The reproductive biology of selected offshore benthic Polychaeta, 275 pp. Ph. D. thesis (unpublished), University of Newcastle upon Tyne 1981
Curtis, N. A.: Life cycles and population dynamics of marine benthic polychaetes from the Disco Bay area of West Greenland. Ophelia 16, 9–58 (1977)
Folk, R. L.: Petrology of sedimentary rocks, 182 pp. Texas: Hemphills Publishing Co. 1974
Goodrich, E. S.: The study of nephridia and genital ducts since 1895. Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 86, 113–392 (1945)
Heffernan, P. and B. O'Connor: Cost 47 Newsletter. No. 1, p. 4, Dublin: National Board for Science & Technology 1982
Keegan, B. F., B. O'Connor, D. McGrath and G. Könnecker: The Amphiura filiformis — Amphiura chiajei community in Galway Bay (west coast of Ireland). A preliminary account. Thalassia jugosl. 12 (1), 189–198 (1976)
Lacalli, T.: Annual spawning cycles and planktonic larvae of benthic invertebrates from Passamaquoddy Bay, New Brunswick. Can. J. Zool. 59, 433–440 (1981)
Rasmussen, E.: The reproductive and larval development of some polychaetes from the Isefjord with some faunistic notes. Biol. Meddr 23, 1–84 (1956)
Rasmussen, E.: Systematics and ecology of Isefjord marine fauna (Denmark). Ophelia 11, 1–495 (1973)
Sveshnikov, V. W.: Pelagic larvae of some Polychaetae in the White Sea. Zool. Zh. 39, 343–355 (1960)
Thorson, G.: Bottom communities (sublittoral or shallow shelf). In: Treatise on marine biology and paleoecology. Vol. 1. Ecology, pp. 451–534. Ed. by J. W. Hedgpeth. New York: Geological Society of America 1957. (Mem. geol. Soc. Am. No. 67)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J. Mauchline, Oban
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heffernan, P., O'Connor, B. & Keegan, B.F. Population dynamics and reproductive cycle of Pholoë minuta (Polychaeta: Sigalionidae) in Galway Bay. Mar. Biol. 73, 285–291 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392254
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392254