The life-cycle of Cyprideis torosa (Crustacea, Ostracoda)

Abstract

The life-cycle of the dominant brackish water ostracod Cyprideis torosa (Jones, 1850) has been studied during 4 years. The species has only one generation anually. Reproduction is fairly similar throughout the years and appears to be tuned in to temperature. The number of adults has one peak every year and can be described by two exponential functions, one for the increase and one for the decrease. Mortality is very similar every year and approximately constant for months. Cyprideis torosa is on top of the food chain: regulation of numbers is probably not external and may be a function of the past of the habitat. A model is described which permits the evaluation of the duration of development from field data only. Predicted values are in good agreement with observed values.