Production, dynamics and demography of an Amphiura filiformis population

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

SLU Authors

• Sköld, Mattias

  • University of Gothenburg

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