Laboratory observations of the pattern of reproduction ofelasmopus levis(crustacea: Amphipoda)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Elasmopus levis is commonly found among shallow subtidal and intertidal macrofaunal assemblages along western Atlantic coasts, yet virtually nothing is known about its life history. The present study reports the results of laboratory observations of the key features of its pattern of reproduction. The observations show that the reproductive physiology of this species is similar to that of most amphipods studied to date, but it seems to spend much less energy on reproductive behaviors than others. No courtship or pair‐bonding behaviors were observed, and, although the male and female of heterosexual pairs were found in proximity more often at the time of the female molt than at other times, the frequency of these associations was lower than that of other species observed. It is hypothesized that the principal reproductive stimulus for this species may be an environmental factor, rather than a stimulus produced by the receptive female, as is the case in other species.
Keywords