Abstract

Secondary production and population dynamics of the brittle star Amphiura filiformis (O. F. Muller) were studied between June 1990 and November 1991 at 40 m depth in the Skagerrak, west Sweden. Mean abundance of individuals > 1. mm in disc diameter was stable around 280 ind. m(-2) After a spawning maximum in June and July, settling post-larvae (ca 7000 ind. m(-2)) occurred in autumn 1991. Disc growth and gonad production accounted for ca 68.9 % (1.8 g AFDW m(-2) yr(-1)) of the total annual production in the population. About 13.3 % (0.34 g AFDW m(-2) yr(-1)) of the total production was allocated to regeneration of arms, probably a result of cropping by predators. Mean regenerated biomass in percent of total biomass for adult A. filiformis was between 12 and 30 % (mean 22 %). Annual production/biomass ratio was 0.46 yr(-1). The input of energy to arm regeneration indicates the importance of A. filiformis as an important food source.

Keywords

ECHINODERMATA; AMPHIURA FILIFORMIS; SECONDARY PRODUCTION; GROWTH; REGENERATION; SKAGERRAK

Published in

Marine Ecology Progress Series
1994, Volume: 103, number: 1-2, pages: 81-90
Publisher: INTER-RESEARCH

UKÄ Subject classification

Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps103081

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/42492