LE3 .A278 1979

1979

Bleakney, J. Sherman

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

The amphipod Corophium volutator (Pallas) was studied at six intertidal transects, five in the Minas Basin and the sixth on the Minas Channel. Samples were taken every four weeks from May 1977 to October 1978 along transects at Kingsport, Starrs Point, Evangeline and Avonport. Transects at Scots Bay and White Water were only sampled from May to August in 1977 and 1978. The densities along transects were compared to each other and to similar time periods at the same transect when such data were available. The greatest densities occurred at Avonport, peaking at 20,000 to 22,000/m2 in 1977 and 1978. Males comprised from 8.5% to 18% of the population throughout the year. Egg-bearing females were present from April to October in 1978 with the greatest percentage, 56%, occurring in May. Three cohorts a year were evident on size-frequency histograms. Two were present for only a two to three month period in summer and produced the third cohort in August. The latter cohort overwintered and produced two successive cohorts, in June and July of the following year. Growth rates ranged from 0.06 mm/week in winter to 0.21 mm/week in spring and 0.38 to 1.34 mm/week in summer and early autumn. Yearly production of 21.64 g/m2 was calculated using IBP method 2 (Crisp, 1971). The production to biomass ratio was 2.64.

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