Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of intraspecific density on life history traits and population growth rate of Neanthes arenaceodentata (Polychaeta: Nereidae) in the laboratory

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of intraspecific density on life history traits and population dynamics of the nereid polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata Moore were assessed in a laboratory experiment. Survival, growth, and fecundity were measured for one generation of worms at densities of 40, 80 and 160 worms per 840 cm2 (1x, 2x, and 4x treatments, respectively). Density did not affect size (prior to pairing), percentage of worms paired, time to pairing, or size of mature paired males. Density did have a significant negative effect on survival, size of mature paired females, time to spawning, percentage of females that reproduced, and number of eggs per reproducing female. As density increased, mean survival was 90.0, 80.8 and 74.0%; mean size of mature females was 52.2, 49.2 and 48.1 segments; mean time to spawning was 100.6, 102.4 and 109.4 d; and mean fecundity was 881, 622, and 598 eggs per female, for 1x, 2x and 4x treatments, respectively. Increased density reduced the potential population growth rate, λ; for a given rate of larval survivorship, λ was lower in the 2x and 4x treatments than the 1x treatment. Analysis of sensitivity of λ to changes in survivorship indicated that population growth rate at the highest density was sensitive to both changes in larval survivorship and the probability of producing a successful brood, although at low densities, λ was sensitive only to changes in larval survivorship. We attribute these density effects to aggressive bahavioral interactions between the worms, primarily the adults. This experiment identifies key life history traits that could be measured in future experiments to test population level responses of N. arenaceodentata populations to pollutants, both in the laboratory and in the field.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Åkesson, B.: A life table study on three genetic strains of Ophryotrocha diadema (Polychaeta, Dorvilleidae). Int. J. Invert. Reprod. 5, 59–69 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Åkesson, B. and J. D. Costlow: Effects of temperature and salinity on the life cycle of Orphryotrocha diadema (Polychaeta, Dorvilleidae). Ophelia 17, 215–229 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Allan, J. D. and R. E. Daniels: Life table evaluation of chronic exposure of Eurytemora affinis (Copepoda) to kepone. Mar. Biol. 66, 179–184 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • BMDP Statistical Software: 725 pp. Berkeley: University of California Press 1981

  • Caswell, H.: Stable population structure and reproductive value for populations with complex life cycles. Ecology 63, 1223–1231 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chesney, E. J. and K. R. Tenore: Effects of predation and disturbance on the population growth and dynamics of the polychaete Capitella capitata (Type I). Mar. Biol. 85, 77–82 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniels, R. E. and J. D. Allan: Life table evaluation of chronic exposure to a pesticide. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 38, 485–494 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, W. R. and D. J. Reish: The effect of reduced dissolved oxygen concentration on the growth and production of oocytes in the polychaetous annelid Neanthes arenaceodentata. Rev. Int. Oceanogr. Med. 37–38, 3–16 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, J. H.: New Polychaeta from Beaufort, with a key to all species recorded from North Carolina, 140 pp. U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Technical Report NMFS CIRC-375. 1973

  • Doyle, R. W. and W. Hunte: Demography of an estuarine amphipod (Gammarus lawrencianus) experimentally selected for high “r”: a model of genetic effects of environmental change. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 38, 1120–1127 (1981a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Doyle, R. W. and W. Hunte: Genetic changes in the components “fitness” and yield of a crustacean population in a controlled environment. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 52, 147–156 (1981b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, R. A.: The genetical theory of natural selection, 2nd ed. New York: Dover Publications 1958

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher, E. D., P. A. Jumars and D. D. Trueblood: Facilitation of soft-bottom benthic succession by tube builders. Ecology 64, 1200–1216 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gentile, J. H., S. M. Gentile, N. G. Hairston, Jr. and B. K. Sullivan: The use of life-tables for evaluating the chronic toxicity of pollutants to Mysidopsis bahia. Hydrobiologia 93, 179–187 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Genetile, J. H., S. M. Gentile, G. Hoffman, J. F. Heltshe and N. Hairston Jr.: The effects of a chronic mercury exposure on survival, reproduction and population dynamics of Mysidopsis bahia. Envir. Toxicol. Chem. 2, 61–68 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grassle, J. F. and J. P. Grassle: Opportunistic life histories and genetic systems in marine benthic polychaetes. J. mar. Res. 32, 253–284 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Herpin, R.: Recherches biologiques sur la reproduction et le development de quelques Annelides polychaetes. Soc. Sci. nat. Ouest France, Bull. ser. 4/5, 1–250 (1926)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hubbell, S. P. and P. A. Werner: On measuring the intrinsic rate of increase of populations with heterogeneous life histories. Am. Nat. 113, 277–293 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, T. P.: Population dynamics based on individual size rather than age: a general model with a coral reef example. Am. Nat. 123, 778–795 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hummon, W. D.: Effects of DDT on longevity and reproductive rate in Lepidodermella squammata (Gastrotricha Chaetonotida). Am. Midland Nat. 92, 327–339 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hummon, W. D. and M. R. Hummon: Use of life table data in tolerance experiments. Cah. Biol. mar. 16, 743–749 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kent, A. C. and R. W. Day: Population dynamics of an infaunal polychaete: the effect of predators and an adult-recruit interaction. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 73, 185–203 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Leslie, P. H.: Some further notes on the use of matrices in population mathematics. Biometrika 35, 213–245 (1948)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, L. A.: Dispersion, feeding behavior and competition in two spionid polychaetes. J. mar. Res. 39, 99–117 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, L. A.: Interference interactions among tube-building polychaetes in a dense infaunal assemblage. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecology 65, 107–119 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinton, J. S.: The effect of density upon deposit-feeding populations: movement, feeding and floating of Hydrobia ventrosa Montagu (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia). Oecologia (Berl.) 43, 27–39 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinton, J. S. and T. S. Bianchi: Nutrition and food limitation of deposit feeders. I. The role of microbes in the growth of mud snails (Hydrobiidae). J. mar. Res. 39, 531–545 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinton, J. S. and S. Stewart Marine succession: the effect of two deposit feeding gastropods species on the population growth of Paranais literalis Muller 1784 (Oligochaeta). J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 59, 231–241 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, E. R.: Network models in population biology, 402 pp. Berlin: Springer-Verlag 1977

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, J. S.: Population dynamics of Daphnia galeata mendotae as modified by chronic cadmium stress. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 35, 461–469 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oshida, P. S., A. J. Means, D. J. Reish and C. S. Word: The effects of hexavalent and trivalent chromium on Neanthes arenaceotata (Polychaeta: Annelida) TM 225, 58 pp. El Segundo, CA: Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Oshida, P. S. ad L. S. Word: Bioaccumulation of chromium and its effects on reproduction in Neanthes arenaceodentata (Polychaeta). Mar. envir. Res. 7, 167–174 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oshida, P. S., L. S. Word and A. J. Mearns: Effects of hexavalent and trivalent chromium on the reproduction of Neanthes arenaceodentata (Polychaeta). Mar. envir. Res. 5, 41–49 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pesch, C. E.: Influence of three sediment types on copper toxicity to the polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata. Mar. Biol. 52, 237–245 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pesch, C. E. and G. L. Hoffman: Interlaboratory comparison of a 28-day toxicity test with the polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata. In: Aquatic toxicology and hazard assessment: Sixth Symposium, ASTM STP 802, pp 482–493 Ed. by W. E. Bishop, R. D. Cardwell and B. B. Heidolph, Philadelphia American Society for Testing and Material 1983

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, C. H.: The importance of predation and intraspecific and interspecific competition in the population biology of two infaunal suspension feeding bivalves, Protothaca staminea and Chione undatella. Ecol. Monogr. 52, 427–475 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettibone, M. H.: Marine polychaete worms of the New England Region. I. Families Aphroditidae through Trochochaetidae. Bull. U.S. nat. Mus. 227, 1–356 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reise, K.: Tidal flat ecology, an experimental approach to species interactions, 191 pp. Berlin: Springer-Verlag 1985

    Google Scholar 

  • Reish, D. J.: The life history of the polychaetous Annelid Neanthes caudata (delle Chiaje) including a summary of development in the family Nereidae. Pacif. Sci. 11, 216–228 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reish, D. J.: The effect of different polutants on ecologically important polychaete worms, 138 pp. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. EPA-600/3-80-053, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  • Reish, D. J. and M. C. Alosi: Aggressive behavior in the polychaetous annelid family Nereidae. Bull. South Calif. Acad. Sci. 6, 21–28 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reish, D. J., J. M. Martin, F. M. Plitz and J. Q. Word: The effect of heavy metals on laboratory populations of two polychaetes with comparisons to the water quality conditions and standards in southern California marine waters. Wat. Res. 10, 229–302 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice, D. L., T. S. Bianchi and E. H. Roper: Experimental studies of sediment reworking and growth of Scoloplos spp. (Orbiniidae: Polychaeta). Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 30, 9–19 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossi, S. S. and J. W. Anderson: Toxicity of water-soluble fractions of No. 2 fuel oil and South Louisiana crude oil to selected stages in the life history of the polychaete, Neanthes arenaceodentata. Bull. Envir. Contam. Toxicol. 16, 18–24 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossi, S. S. and J. W. Anderson: Effects of No. 2 fuel oil watersoluble-fractions on growth and reproduction in Neanthes arenaceodentata (Polychaeta: Annelida). Wat Air Soil Pollut. 9, 155–170 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Snedocor, G. W. and W. C. Cochran: Statistical methods, 6th ed., 593 pp. Ames: Iowa State University Press 1967

    Google Scholar 

  • Starczak, V. R.: Sexual selection and intra-sexual aggression in the marine polychaete Nereis (Neanthes) acuminata. Ph.D. thesis, 112 pp. Storrs, CT: University of Connecticut 1984

    Google Scholar 

  • Tenore, K. R. and E. J. Chesney, Jr.: The effects of interaction of rate of food supply and population density on the bioenergetics of the opportunistic polychaete, Capitella capita (type 1). Limnol. Oceanogr. 30, 1188–1195 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinberg, J. R.: Factors regulating population dynamics of the marine bivalve Gemma gemma: intraspecific competition and salinity. Mar. Biol. 86, 173–182 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitlatch, R. B.: Patterns of resource utilization and coexistence in marine intertidal deposit-feeding communities. J. mar. Res. 38, 743–765 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitlatch, R. B. and R. N. Zajac: Biotic interactions among estuarine opportunists. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 21, 299–311 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, Jr., W. H.: The role of density dependence in a marine infaunal community. Ecology 64, 295–306 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Winner, R. W. and M. P. Farrell: Acute and chronic toxicity to four species of Daphnia. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 33, 1685–1691 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodin, S. A.: Adult-larval interactions in dense infaunal assemblages: patterns of abundance. J. mar. Res. 34, 25–41 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodin, S. A.: Biotic interactions in recent marine sedimentary environments. In: Biotic interactions in recent and fossil benthic communities, pp 3–38. Ed. by M. J. S. Tevesz and P. L. McCall. New York: Plenum Press 1983

    Google Scholar 

  • Zajac, R. N.: Population dynamics and life history variation in Polydora ligni (Polychaeta: Annelida). Ph.D. dissertation, 209 pp. Storrs, CT: Univ. of Connecticut 1985

    Google Scholar 

  • Zajac, R. N.: The effects of intraspecific density and food supply on growth and reproduction in an infaunal polychaete Polydora ligni Webster. J. mar. Res. 44, 339–359 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. A. Balboni

    Present address: Syscon Corporation, 10 John Clarke Road, 02840, Middletown, Rhode Island, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, South Ferry Road, 02882, Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA

    C. E. Pesch

  2. Marine Sciences Institute, University of Connecticut, Avery Point, 06340, Groton, Connecticut, USA

    R. N. Zajac & R. B. Whitlatch

  3. Marine Sciences Division, Science Applications International Corporation, South Ferry Road, 02882, Narrangansett, Rhode Island, USA

    M. A. Balboni

Authors
  1. C. E. Pesch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. N. Zajac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. B. Whitlatch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. A. Balboni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by J. P. Grassle, Woods Hole

Contribution No. 820 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Research Laboratory and Contribution No. 189 of the Marine Sciences Institute, University of Connecticut

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pesch, C.E., Zajac, R.N., Whitlatch, R.B. et al. Effect of intraspecific density on life history traits and population growth rate of Neanthes arenaceodentata (Polychaeta: Nereidae) in the laboratory. Mar. Biol. 96, 545–554 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397973

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397973

Keywords

Search

Navigation