BIOTIC Species Information for Hyale prevostii
Researched byJacqueline Hill Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byProf. P. Geoff Moore
Taxonomy
Scientific nameHyale prevostii Common nameAn amphipod
MCS CodeS224 Recent SynonymsHyale nilssoni (Rathke)
PhylumCrustacea Subphylum
Superclass ClassEumalacostraca
SubclassPeracarida OrderAmphipoda
SuborderGammaridea FamilyHyalidae
GenusHyale Speciesprevostii
Subspecies   
Additional InformationNo text entered
Taxonomy References Howson & Picton, 1997, Lincoln, 1979, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b,
General Biology
Growth formArticulate
 Feeding methodHerbivore
Mobility/MovementCrawler
Swimmer
 Environmental positionEpifaunal
Epifloral
Epibenthic
Typical food typesMacroalgae, typically fucoids such as Pelvetia canaliculata and Fucus spiralis. Juveniles graze filamentous algae and micro-epiflora. HabitFree living
BioturbatorNot relevant FlexibilityHigh (>45 degrees)
FragilityIntermediate SizeVery small(<1cm)
HeightInsufficient information Growth RateInsufficient information
Adult dispersal potential100-1000m DependencyIndependent
SociabilityGregarious
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional InformationGrowth rate is affected by temperature. At higher temperatures growth is rapid with a short life span and smaller final body size (Moore, 1986).
Biology References Moore, 1986, Moore, 1977(b),
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandAll coasts of Britain and Ireland.
Global distributionIn Europe from southwest Iceland, north Norway and the Faeroes to the Mediterranean Sea. On the Atlantic coast of north America from south Labrador and the St Lawrence estuary to Connecticut. May be locally common.
Biogeographic rangeNot researched Depth rangeNot relevant
MigratorySeasonal (environment)   
Distribution Additional InformationHyale prevostii nestles in the damp apertures of live gastropods particularly during neap tides, vacating them at spring tide when the species migrates to higher levels of the shore (Moore, 1977).
Substratum preferencesOther species (see additional information)
Algae
Bedrock
 Physiographic preferencesOpen coast
Estuary
Strait / sound
Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zoneUpper Eulittoral
Mid Eulittoral
Lower Eulittoral
 Wave exposureModerately Exposed
Sheltered
Very Sheltered
Extremely Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowStrong (3-6 kn)
Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)
Weak (<1 kn)
Very Weak (negligible)
 SalinityReduced (18-30 psu)
Variable (18-40 psu)
Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References Lincoln, 1979, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Eno et al., 1997, Moore, 1986, Moore, 1977(c),
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic
 Developmental mechanismDirect Development
Reproductive SeasonSee additional information Reproductive LocationAs adult
Reproductive frequencyAnnual protracted Regeneration potential No
Life span1-2 years Age at reproductive maturityInsufficient information
Generation time1-2 years FecundityInsufficient information
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient information Fertilization typeExternal
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potentialInsufficient information Larval settlement periodNot relevant
Duration of larval stageNot relevant   
Reproduction Preferences Additional Information
  • Timing and length of the reproductive period is influenced by temperature. In the south of its range, on the north coast of Spain, Hyale prevostii breeds year-round (Gonzáles & Anadón, 1981). In cooler waters the reproductive period is reduced, for example, February-November in Scotland (Moore, 1986) and April - October in New England (McBane & Crocker, 1984).
  • Reproduction, and therefore the production of gametes, varies across its range.
  • The mating system is polygynous. Mating is prefaced by a period of precopula (duration c.42h) during which time the male carries the passive female tucked under the ventral surface (Moore, 1986).
  • There is no sperm storage, and fertilisation is external.
  • Amphipods do not have a free swimming larval stage. Embryos are brooded in a marsupium, beneath the thorax, formed by the coxal plates and released as juveniles.
  • Same size females produce fewer eggs both to the far north and far south of their range supporting the hypothesis that optimal conditions exist in the middle of the species' geographical range.
Reproduction References Fish & Fish, 1996, Moore, 1986, Gonzáles & Anadón, 1981, McBane & Crocker, 1984,
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