In:
Canadian Journal of Zoology, Canadian Science Publishing, Vol. 85, No. 3 ( 2007-02), p. 344-351
Abstract:
Sand hoppers (Amphipoda: Talitridae) are semiterrestrial crustaceans that feed upon stranded kelp. Their burrowing behaviour plays an important role in reintroducing nutrients into the sediment. The most abundant sand hopper on New Zealand’s beaches is Talorchestia quoyana Milne-Edwards, 1840. It is host to a parasitic mermithid nematode, Thaumamermis zealandica Poinar, Latham and Poulin, 2002, which invariably kills its sand hopper host by emerging to complete its maturation and reproduction in a moist sand environment. The aim of the present study was to assess if the burrowing behaviour of Ta. quoyana showed pathologic consequences of infection by Th. zealandica. Two experiments were conducted to assess temporal variation in sand hopper burrowing in vitro. Parameters measured included the hour after sunrise and sunset that sand hoppers first emerged and the number of surface visits in the first hour after emergence. Across experiments, sand hopper burrowing behaviour showed considerable heterogeneity related to sand hopper length, sand hopper distribution, experimental series, and experimental moisture conditions. The presence of parasites was not a significant factor in determining sand hopper burrowing behaviour. The lack of pathological effect is surprising given the relative size of Th. zealandica.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0008-4301
,
1480-3283
Language:
English
Publisher:
Canadian Science Publishing
Publication Date:
2007
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1490831-1
SSG:
12
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