Annual production of two Nova Scotian populations of Nucella lapillus (L.)

Abstract

One population of Nucella lapillus, under conditions of food shortage, decreased in biomass with an annual production of 5.5 kcal per m². The second population, with plenty of food, gained biomass and the annual production was 16.7 kcal per m².Individuals grew faster, while attaining sexual maturity and terminating growth at a larger size in the second population. In both populations, energy produced as gametes exceeded the energy produced due to growth. A 2.56 cm female was estimated to produce 46.6 egg capsules (about 1 kcal) a year but the output of males was unknown and assumed to be half that of females. The sex ratio was equal.