Population and Production Dynamics of an Enchytraeid Worm in a Subtropical Blackwater River

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Abstract
Population and production dynamics of Barbidrilus paucisetus Loden and Locy (Oligochaeta: Enchytraeidae) in a sixth-order blackwater river are described. This worm was the dominant member of the meiofauna of the sand habitat, accounting for 50–90% of the total density. Population density varied seasonally, increasing from < 20 000/m2 in the winter to 60–120 000/m2 in the summer. Biomass averaged 145 mg dry mass/m2 with a range of 8–326 mg/m2. Density peaked in the clean coarse sand of the center channel areas and was lower where the sand was finer and where more organic matter was present. Size frequency histograms indicated that there were three recruitment peaks during the sampling year, with mature and new individuals present in all seasons. Annual production (2.12 g dry mass/m2, SE = 0.15 g/m2), was estimated using the size frequency method and a cohort production interval correction of 3. Annual production was low compared with that of terrestrial Enchytraeidae and comparable with that of many aquatic insect species. Annual production/biomass ratio (14.3) was higher than terrestrial Enchytraeidae, due to the comparatively short generation time of this species.