Abstract
Space limitation in larval settlement can play an important role in the population dynamics of marine species. A novel statistical test for space limitation based on quadrat counts of individuals is described. The test is based on identifying a significant relationship between the relative dispersion of quadrat counts and overall mean density. An application to a time series of quadrat counts of recently settled American lobsters Homarus americanus covering the period 1993–2007 in Casco Bay, Maine, USA (43°45′N; 69°58′W), is presented. For this data set, the null hypothesis that space is not limiting could not be rejected (P = 0.10).
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The extremely helpful comments of two anonymous reviewers are acknowledged with gratitude.
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Communicated by U. Sommer.
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Solow, A., Cowan, D. A test for space limitation with an application to recently settled lobsters. Mar Biol 159, 467–470 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1818-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-011-1818-0