Stages in the life history of Mytilicola intestinalis Steuer, a copepod parasite of Mytilus edulis (L.), and the effect of temperature on their rates of development

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Abstract
The stages of development of Mytilicola intestinalis consist of a nauplius, metanauplius, copepodites I–V, and a preadult before the sexually mature adult. The rates of development of the embryonic, free-living, and parasitic phases of the life cycle have been quantified in relation to temperature in a series of laboratory experiments. These show that development times, particularly of the embryos and parasitic instars. are increased significantly at temperatures below 18°C but not significantly decreased at temperatures above 18°C. It is suggested that the influence of temperature on rates of development is the mechanism by which the seasonal oscillations in the population of M. intestinalis are controlled rather than invoking the idea of a discrete temperature threshold for the onset or cessation of breeding as had been postulated previously.
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