Biology and ecological energetics of the supralittoral isopod Ligia dilatata

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-103).It is believed that studies on individual species populations are important to gain a full understanding of ecosystem dynamics and that data gained from these studies can be incorporated into complex but meaningful models. This approach was adopted in a study of the complex kelp bed ecosystem off the west coast of South Africa initiated in 1975. Pilot studies indicated which plant and animal species should receive particular attention and several workers engaged in detailed studies of population dynamics and ecological energetics (Greenwood, 1974; Muir, 1977; Shafir, 1978; Dieckmann, 1978; Griffiths and King, 1978). A feature of the kelp bed system is that large masses of plant material are exported due to the heavy wave action experienced (Field et al., 1977; Velimirov et al., 1977). Attempts have been made to trace the fate of the kelp which is exported to adjacent beaches. A study by Muir (1977) showed the importance of kelp debris for the sandy beach amphipod Talorchestia capensis. The present study concerns the population dynamics and energetics of the supralittoral rocky shore kelp-eating isopod Ligia dilatata Brandt