Physiology and ecology of three amphipod species in UK estuaries

Abstract

The physiology and ecology of three amphipod species, Corophium volutator, Gammarus marinus and G. chevreuxi were examined. The physiology of the amphipods were investigated in two ways. The physiological capacity was measured as the rate of oxygen consumption (MO2 - µ) of oxygen per mg of wet mass per hour), over two time durations, 4 hours (short term) and 5 days (medium term) in a variety of salinities with individuals of all size classes. Overall, larger individuals of all species exhibited lower MO2 by mass. More specifically, C. volutator and G. chevreuxi exhibited lowest rates of respiration at salinities between 15 and 20ppt. G. marinus was found to have high mortality at 2 ppt, with high rates of respiration measured at 5 ppt.