Nilsson, Hans
- University of Gothenburg
Abstract
Arm regeneration and spawning in the brittle star Amphiura filiformis were studied in normoxic oxygen concentration > 8.5 mg O-2 l(-1) (control) and in two levels of hypoxic oxygen concentrations (treatments), 2.7 mg O-2 l(-1) and 1.8 mg O-2 l(-1) (29 and 19% oxygen saturation) in 'undisturbed' sediments. The treatments were chosen to simulate short term hypoxia (17 days) induced over a 2- month period. This study demonstrated reduced arm growth and disturbance of spawning in both hypoxic treatments compared with normoxia. Slowest regeneration of arms was observed at 1.8 mg O-2 l(-1) (65% arm regeneration compared to normoxia control). No difference in brittle star behaviour between treatments was observed by eye or in relation to redox potentials in the sediment. The results are discussed in relation to Amphiura filiformis production in Scandinavian waters, where seasonal oxygen depletion occurs in the bottom water in some areas. Estimates of possible biomass losses are calculated.
Keywords
benthic production; echinodermata; eutrophication; Kattegat; ophiuroidea; oxygen depletion
Published in
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
1996, volume: 199, number: 2, pages: 193-206
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
SLU Authors
Sköld, Mattias
- University of Gothenburg
UKÄ Subject classification
Ecology
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-0981(95)00188-3
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/42484