ABSTRACT: Nebalia daytoni isan abundant leptostracan crustacean from the infauna between 10 and 30 m on the sand plain off the coast of San Diego, California, USA. Secondary production of N. daytoni was estimated to be 0.930 g dry weight m^-2 yr^-1 between June 1991 and June 1992, and 0.660 g dry weight m^-2 yr^-1 between June 1992 and June 1993. The corresponding ratios between production and biomass were, respectively, 2.92 and 3.17, less than those reported for other leptostracan species living in organically richer environments. Throughout this 2 yr study, adults accounted for most of the secondary production within the population. Few data exist for leptostracan secondary production so reports of amphipod secondary production are used for comparative purposes. Amphipods, in general, also appear to conform to the pattern of both greater productivity in vegetated habitats, or habitats with large inputs of macrophyte detritus, and the pattern of adult production.

KEY WORDS: Nebalia . Amphipod . Secondary production . Detritus

Published in MEPS Vol. 137 (1996) on June 27
ISSN: 0171-8630. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 1996