ASPECTS OF THE LIFE HISTORY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF THE INTRODUCED TERRESTRIAL AMPHIPOD ARCITALITRUS DORRIENI (HUNT) AT TWO SITES IN CO GALWAY, IRELAND

摘要

The reproductive biology of Arcitalitrus dorrieni (Hunt) was investigated over a period of 25 months at a deciduous and a coniferous forest site at Kylemore, Co. Galway, Ireland. The species has an annual, univoltine reproductive cycle with ovigerous females found throughout the year. Recruitment of juveniles begins in May-June with a peak of reproductive activity in August-September. The populations at each site show a bimodal size-distribution for most of the year, with a unimodal distribution in March, April and May. Mortality occurs exponentially, and the life-span is 20-22 months. Mean fecundity was 5.65 eggs per female and was dependent on female size, egg size and brood stage. Brood mortality was 37.5% at Addergoole and 29.8% at Tullywee Bridge. [References: 59]