Spatial scaling from latitudinal gradients: : size-specific fecundity in the American lobsterHomarus americanus

ABSTRACT: Estimates of key population parameters are required to evaluate conservation or management measures, but are often available at only a few locations within the range of a species. We assembled all available estimates of a single parameter (fecundity as a function of size) in the lobsterHom...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Marine Ecology Progress Series. - Inter-Research, 1979. - 439(2011) vom: Okt., Seite 193-201
1. Verfasser: Currie, Jens J. (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Schneider, David C.
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2011
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Marine Ecology Progress Series
Schlagworte:American lobster Fecundity Statistical model Egg production Management Conservation Biological sciences Physical sciences Applied sciences Behavioral sciences Mathematics
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:ABSTRACT: Estimates of key population parameters are required to evaluate conservation or management measures, but are often available at only a few locations within the range of a species. We assembled all available estimates of a single parameter (fecundity as a function of size) in the lobsterHomarus americanusto develop a large-scale model applicable throughout the species’ range. In this species, a 2-parameter power function,F=aLb , is used to describe the relationship of fecundityFto carapace lengthL. There was a well-defined latitudinal gradient in the allometric (power law) exponentb, with the smaller values at the northern end of the species’ range. The allometric exponentbdecreased at a rate of 8.6% per degree of latitude, from southern New England to the northern end of the range (Newfoundland). The scaling factoraincreased at a rate of 491 eggs per degree of latitude, as estimated at a carapace length of 85 mm. Fecundity can be estimated from this large-scale model at any location throughout much of the species’ range. Data archiving allows re-estimation of parameters when better methods become available, and also allows large-scale models of population parameters to be developed.
ISSN:16161599