Abstract
Abstract Caprellid amphipods are common crustaceans at Sargassum beds of southeastern Brazil and constitute an important link between primary producers and marine consumers. The goal of this study is to evaluate population and reproductive biology of two caprellid species: Paracaprella tenuis Mayer, 1903 and Pseudaeginella montoucheti Quitete, 1971. Sargassum cymosum Agardh, 1820 samples were collected monthly between October 2010 and September 2011 in a rock shore in southeastern Brazil. The caprellids were identified, counted, measured and classified as males, immature females, sexually mature females, ovigerous females and juveniles. Eggs were counted and measured. Higher densities of P. tenuis and P. montoucheti were found mainly in winter and lower densities in fall and summer. Density variation is probably related to organic matter supply and substrate availability. Both species showed continuous reproduction with reproductive peaks. Pseudaeginella montoucheti larger egg volume indicates a longer incubation period. The egg volume was directly related to female size. The number of eggs was weakly related to female size, indicating that fecundity may be driven by other factors, such as the physiological conditions. Sex ratio deviated for males suggests a higher longevity of males. The present study highlighted important data of two caprellids species that occur in algal beds of different regions.
Highlights
Studies with phytal communities associated to rock shore macrophytes show that peracarid crustaceans, including amphipods, normally occur in high species abundance and richness, especially in coastal environments dominated by brown seaweeds (Edgar, 1983; Jacobucci et al, 2002; Leite et al, 2007; Jacobucci et al, 2009a)
Our results showed density variation for both species through the year with higher densities mainly in winter and lower densities in fall and summer
Egg volume was different between caprellid species and it was directly related to female size
Summary
Studies with phytal communities associated to rock shore macrophytes show that peracarid crustaceans, including amphipods, normally occur in high species abundance and richness, especially in coastal environments dominated by brown seaweeds (Edgar, 1983; Jacobucci et al, 2002; Leite et al, 2007; Jacobucci et al, 2009a). The caprellid amphipods are represented by more than 360 described species (De Broyer, 2014; Mauro and Serejo, 2015) in eight families, widely distributed in marine environments and often represent dominant members in epibenthic communities (Lowry and Myers, 2013). Caprellid life cycle usually lasts on average 40 days (Takeuchi et al, 2001) They are dioic with external fertilization and females present brood pouch, a unique attribute of Peracarida (Borowsky, 1991), to carry eggs and incubate their embryos (Schram, 1986). Many species present continuous reproduction (Bynum, 1978; Imada and Kikuchi, 1984) with peaks of recruitment (Masunari, 1982; Edgar, 1983)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
