Ampelisca spinipes

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Ampelisca spinipes	Common name	An amphipod
MCS Code	S438	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Crustacea	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Eumalacostraca
Subclass	Peracarida	Order	Amphipoda
Suborder	Gammaridea	Family	Ampeliscidae
Genus	Ampelisca	Species	spinipes
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References
General Biology
Growth form	Articulate	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder
Mobility/Movement	Swimmer, Burrower, Temporary attachment	Environmental position	Epifaunal, Epilithic
Typical food types		Habit	Free living
Bioturbator		Flexibility	Low (10-45 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height		Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	1km-10km	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Recorded in the North Sea, off the south-east coasts of Scotland and north-east England, in the western English Channel and throughout the Irish Sea up to northern Ireland and south-west Scotland.
Global distribution	Found in western Europe from the Shetlands south to the Azores and the Mediterranean, and off the coasts of the north-west Atlantic.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory	Insufficient info.
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Insufficient information	Physiographic preferences	Insufficient information
Biological zone	Insufficient information	Wave exposure	Insufficient information
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Field unresearched	Salinity	Insufficient information
Habitat Additional Information
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	I
Distribution References	Julie Bremner, unpub data
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Direct Development
Reproductive Season	June - September	Reproductive Location	Insufficient information
Reproductive frequency		Regeneration potential	No
Life span	1-2 years	Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time	Insufficient information	Fecundity	42.5
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential None Larval settlement period Insufficient information Duration of larval stage
Additional Information	The majority of amphipods are known to brood their young, so that juvenile mobility is probably low but adult mobility is potentially high.
Reproduction References	Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data