Calliopius laeviusculus

(Krøyer, 1838)

Planktonic Amphipod

Calliopius laeviusculus is a marine amphipod crustacean distributed across the North Atlantic in both European and North American waters. The exhibits a semiannual in southern parts of its range, with releasing young in spring and early summer. are tightly coupled to seasonal food availability, particularly capelin deposits. Multiple per year occur in warmer regions, while single-generation cycles prevail in colder northern waters.

Calliopius laeviusculus by (c) Leïla Brunner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Leïla Brunner. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Calliopius laeviusculus: /kæˈliːoʊpiəs laɪˌvjuːsˈkjuːləs/

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Images

Habitat

Rocky intertidal and nearshore marine environments. In the northwestern Atlantic, found from Hudson Bay south to Long Island Sound. Occupies coastal waters where capelin and other marine fish deposit on substrate.

Distribution

North Atlantic: Europe and North America. Western Atlantic range extends from Hudson Bay to Long Island Sound. Documented in Newfoundland and Labrador coastal waters.

Seasonality

Active and reproductive during spring through late summer. from approximately August through November–December. peaks in late summer (July–August) in Newfoundland waters. Young released from spring until late summer.

Diet

Actively preys on fish , particularly capelin (Mallotus villosus) eggs. Opportunistic feeding on intertidal fish egg deposits.

Host Associations

Mallotus villosus - growth tightly coupled to seasonal availability of capelin

Life Cycle

Semiannual in Newfoundland: release young in April, May, and July. Cohorts from April–May releases reach sexual maturity within summer, reproduce, and produce second peak in early August. In Labrador, single per year with spring release of young and autumn maturation. Females may produce multiple in favorable conditions.

Behavior

Aggregative response to patchy food resources. Rapid to capelin spawning events. larger than summer individuals.

Ecological Role

Significant of fish in coastal . Links capelin spawning events to higher . Potential impact on capelin year-class strength through egg pressure.

More Details

Temperature and latitudinal effects on life history

Reproductive patterns and time vary with latitude and temperature. In Newfoundland waters, 50% of females mature at 5.6 mm (summer) and 6.7 mm (winter); in Labrador, females up to 10 mm may remain . does not vary seasonally in Newfoundland.