Critique of some practices in life-history studies, with special references to harpacticoid copepods
Bergmans, M. (1984). Critique of some practices in life-history studies, with special references to harpacticoid copepods. Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Res. 35: 375-383
In: Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research. CSIRO: Melbourne. ISSN 0067-1940, more
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| Keywords |
Life history
Copepoda [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
Published studies on the demography and reproductive strategies of harpacticoid copepods are examined critically. At the technical level, the popular approximation r = ln R0/Tc is shown to be inappropriate as an estimate of the intrinsic rate of increase of harpacticoids. It leads to a systematic underestimation, by 8-29%, for life histories typical of fast-breeding species. Various ad hoc variants of r and R0 calculations occurring in the literature are also criticized. At the conceptual level, a more discriminating approach to life-history characteristics is necessary; this applies both to the assessment of their 'strategic' significance, and to their diagnostic power with regard to the various 'strategies'. Special attention is given to the non-equivalence of parity and voltinism. Recommendations that should promote the construction of a more rigorous cognitive framework are included. |
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