Jackson Estuarine Laboratory
The salt marsh amphipod, Gammarus palustris Bousfield, 1969 at the northern limit of its distribution: II. Temperature-salinity tolerances
Abstract
The tolerance of Gammarus palustris to temperature-salinity combinations was examined, with emphasis on low temperatures and salinities of late winter and early spring. The species is quite eurythermal and euryhaline. Differences in tolerances were related to life stage and seasonal acclimation of two generations. Juveniles tolerated low salinities better than adults, and appeared to be living closest to their upper lethal temperature limit compared with other life stages. Immature, over-wintering animals showed best tolerance to low temperatures and salinities of late winter and early spring, assisted by relatively high blood osmoconcentrations. It is concluded that G. palustris may be living near its low lethal temperature limits in New Hampshire.
Publication Date
2-1978
Journal Title
Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Gable, M.F. and R.A. Croker. 1978. The salt marsh amphipod, Gammarus palustris Bousfield, 1969 at the northern limit of its distribution. II. Temperature-salinity tolerances. Estuarine and Coastal Marine Sci. 6:225-230.