Some Aspects of the Autecology of Leptochelia dubia (Kroeyer, 1842) (Tanaidacea)
Mendoza JA. 1982. Some Aspects of the Autecology of Leptochelia dubia (Kroeyer, 1842) (Tanaidacea). Crustaceana. 43(3):225-240
Leptochelia dubia is one of six tanaidacean species known from central California. It is a dioecious tube builder which broods its young and exhibits marked sexual dimorphism. The species is widely distributed in the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian oceans (Miller, 1940, 1968). In Tomales Bay, California, Leptochelia is one of the most abundant crustaceans inhabiting the soft bottom and may attain densities of 30,000 per square meter. The authors conducted a series of studies to: (1) determine the spatial and temporal variations in distribution, abundance, and structure of the Leptochelia population; (2) describe tube building and feeding behavior of Leptochelia ; and (3) examine the effects of predation by juvenile Leptocottus on the sex ratio of the tanaid population.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Mendoza, J
- Units
- PORE
- Keywords
- Abundance, Autecology, California Coast, case construction, Crustaceans, Feeding Behavior, INE, Invertebrates, Leptochelia dubia, Leptocottus, Population Structure, Predation, Spatial Distribution, USA