Population growth of a copepod Gladioferens imparipes Thomson

Abstract

The intrinsic rate of increase of an animal population can be calculated from data on longevity, sex ratio, maturation rate and fecundity and can be expressed as r in the population growth equation N_t = N₀e^rt. Laboratory and field data are used to calculate the value of r per day for the copepod Gladioferens imparipes Thomson.

The r values obtained, 0.146 per day at 15º C and 0.293 per day at 25º C, are both high. This high population growth potential is interpreted as an adaptation to the estuarine habitat.