Ampelisca tenuicornis

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Ampelisca tenuicornis	Common name	An amphipod
MCS Code	S440	Recent Synonyms	Not researched
Phylum	Crustacea	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Eumalacostraca
Subclass	Peracarida	Order	Amphipoda
Suborder	Gammaridea	Family	Ampeliscidae
Genus	Ampelisca	Species	tenuicornis
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References
General Biology
Growth form	Articulate	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder, Surface deposit feeder, Sub-surface deposit feeder
Mobility/Movement	Swimmer, Burrower, Temporary attachment	Environmental position	Epifaunal, Epilithic
Typical food types	Feeds on detritus, larvae and small organisms from the sediment surface or overlying water (Sheader, 1988).	Habit	Free living
Bioturbator		Flexibility	Low (10-45 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Small-medium(3-10cm)
Height		Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	100-1000m	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Sheader, 1988, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found on most British and Ireland coasts from the Shetlands to the Scilly Isles..
Global distribution	Found in western Europe from the Shetlands south to the Mediterranean.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory	Insufficient info.
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Muddy sand	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
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Direct Development
Reproductive Season	June - September	Reproductive Location	Insufficient information
Reproductive frequency	Biannual protracted	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	1-2 years	Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time	Insufficient information	Fecundity	56
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Very limited (<1m) Larval settlement period Insufficient information Duration of larval stage Not relevant
Additional Information	Bivoltine annual i.e. 2 generations per year, June to Oct breeding season in English Channel (Dauvin, 1988b). The first generation breed within a couple of months of recruitment and only live for three of four months (Dauvin, 1988b). Second generation live much longer. Embryos incubated for up to six weeks. Males enter the water column after becoming mature and can be found in relatively high quantities in the suprabenthic at night (Sheader, 1977; Dauvin & Zouhiri, 1996).
Reproduction References	Dauvin, 1988b, Sheader, 1977, Dauvin & Zouhiri, 1996