Insights into ecological and reproductive aspects of two cryptogenic peracarid crustaceans of the Argentinian coast

• Published in: Brazilian journal of oceanography 2015-09, Vol.63 (3), p.195-206
• Main Authors: Fricke, Anna, Biancalana, Florencia, Tonicelli, Gina, Berasategui, Anabela A., Kopprio, Germán A., Gauna, M. Cecilia, Parodi, Elisa E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anfípodos; Epibenthos; Interações alga-crustáceo; Marine; MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY; Monocorophium insidiosum; OCEANOGRAPHY; Patagônia do Norte; Tanais aff. dulongii; Tanais dulongii
• ISSN: 1679-8759; 1982-436X; 1679-8759
• DOI: 10.1590/S1679-87592015085306303

AbstractPeracarid crustaceans belong to the most important agglomerating macrofauna in sedimentary habitats. The amphipod Monocorophium insidiosumCRAWFORD, 1937 and the tanaid Tanais dulongii AUDOUIN, 1926 are listed as invasive species. In the present study, we investigated the ecology of M. insidiosum and T. aff. dulongii from the Argentinian coast. Both crustaceans were breeding under laboratory conditions to study their fecundity and growth. Additionally their behavior and potential interspecific relations have been investigated in four different laboratory experiments. We evaluated tube building capabilities (experiment 1), and tested gender specific responses of M. insdiosum to the presence of empty (experiments 2 and 3), and inhabited T. aff. dulongii tubes (experiment 4). Our results showed high fecundity (three generations within four weeks) and growth rates (duplication of body lengths in two weeks) for M. insidiosum. Two tube construction strategies were distinguished: a tube changing behavior for the amphipod M. insidiosum, showing greater construction activity for females, and tube keeping behavior for T. aff. dulongii. Overall, tanaid tubes were frequently claimed by M. insidiosum, demonstrating a close interspecific relationship and resulting in decreased sediment aggregating activity. In the light of our observations it may be affirmed that these invasive species are probably frequently distributed along the Patagonian Atlantic coast and will still spread in future. ResumoCrustáceos da superordem Peracarida formam importantes aglomerados em habitats sedimentares. O anfípode Monocorophium insidiosum (CRAWFORD, 1937) e o tanaidáceo Tanais dulongii (AUDOUIN, 1926) são classificados como espécies invasoras. No presente estudo, investigamos a ecologia de M. insidiosum e de T. aff. dulongii na costa argentina. Cultivamos ambos os crustáceos para estudar sua fecundidade e crescimento, e investigamos seu comportamento e potenciais relações interespecíficas em quatro experimentos laboratoriais. Avaliamos a capacidade de construção de tubos (experimento 1) e testamos a reação de machos e fêmeas de M. insidiosum em construir tubos na presença de tubos vazios (experimentos 2 e 3) e ocupados (experimento 4) de T. aff. dulongii. Nossos resultados mostraram alta fecundidade (três gerações em quatro semanas) e taxa de crescimento (duplicação do comprimento corporal em duas semanas) de >M. insidiosum. Duas estratégias de construção de tubos foram identifica