Dispersal by Benthic Invertebrates: The in Situ Swimming Behaviour of the Amphipod Corophium Volutator

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Abstract
Studies of the dispersal behaviour of marine and estuarine benthic invertebrates have concentrated on the majority of species where the individuals disperse as a planktonic larva. The view that seems to be prevalent, summarised by Crisp (1974, 1976), is that larvae are an adaptation to allow species to colonise transient habitats and for species with adults of limited mobility to colonise distant habitats. The spreading of the species over wide areas has the advantages of reducing competition and facilitating greater genetic diversity, leaving the species more adaptable to subsequent environmental changes. These advantages are greater with longer distances travelled, and are an explanation for larvae spending up to several weeks drifting in the plankton, despite the acknowledged high mortality rates associated with the pelagic existence.

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