Abstract
The Hippolyte inermis Leach 1815 population from Zostera marina beds in southern Spain showed two recruitment periods that occurred simultaneously for both sexes (from September to December and from April to June), in a size range between 1.67 and 1.90 mm carapace length, due to gonadal activity and eggs hatching in summer and winter. The estimated Von Bertalanffy parameters were used to determine absolute growth and showed that males live for around 8 months and females for around 12 months; consequently, four cohorts for males and 7 to 8 for females can coexist throughout the cycle. The sex ratio favours females throughout the entire life cycle. Data published on the reproductive biology of H. inermis support the idea that this is a protandric hermaphrodite species, though recent studies have revealed that there is no histological proof of hermaphroditic sexuality in adult specimens of this species. The results obtained here indicate that the Canuelo Beach Hippolyte inermis population has a gonochoric structure. If H. inermis were to have hermaphroditic sexuality, the sex reversal of adult males would occur in a single moult in the size range between 2.42 and 3.22 mm. These new, secondary females would be incorporated into the primary female cohort at practically the same size, although they would be 0.12 to 5.20 months younger. Our results, compared with those from other population studies, suggest that this species has a highly plastic population structure, which seems to be determined by external factors and which varies between the protandric and gonochoric condition, depending on the conditions of the habitat.
Highlights
There are many studies available in the literature that focus on different aspects of caridean biology, such as larval development, reproductive cycles and population structure and dynamics (Allen, 1959; Butler, 1964; Berreur-Bonnenfant and CharniauxCotton, 1965; Yaldwyn, 1966; Fréchette, et al, 1970; Noel, 1976; Nakashima, 1987; Gherardi and Calloni, 1993; Guerao et al, 1994; Company and Sardá, 2000; Colloca, 2002; Maiorano, et al, 2002; Cartaxana, 2003; Kim and Hong, 2004; Kim, 2005; Chilari et al, 2005; among others)
The leaves of Z. marina and the sediment were washed with marine water, and the H. inermis specimens separated from other fauna (Zariquiey Álvarez, 1968; Udekem d’Acoz, 1996) and fixed in different fixative solutions depending on the histological technique used
Since the number of males remained very low throughout the study period (Fig. 3B), the sex ratio (M/F) clearly favoured females (0.19 ± 0.17)
Summary
There are many studies available in the literature that focus on different aspects of caridean biology, such as larval development, reproductive cycles and population structure and dynamics (Allen, 1959; Butler, 1964; Berreur-Bonnenfant and CharniauxCotton, 1965; Yaldwyn, 1966; Fréchette, et al, 1970; Noel, 1976; Nakashima, 1987; Gherardi and Calloni, 1993; Guerao et al, 1994; Company and Sardá, 2000; Colloca, 2002; Maiorano, et al, 2002; Cartaxana, 2003; Kim and Hong, 2004; Kim, 2005; Chilari et al, 2005; among others). In many cases, the research carried out does not include the population dynamics or absolute growth. This is surprising because these aspects provide an overall vision of the life histories of caridean species and are necessary for understanding the peculiarities of caridean reproduction
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.
